MALDON could house a family fleeing Syria — but only if residents pay their costs.

Maldon District Council is investigating offering accommodation to a family from one of the refugee camps near the war-torn country.

In September 2015, the Government announced the UK would take in 20,000 Syrian refugees over the next five years.

Last year, the council pledged to support the refugees but said it could not rehome them in Maldon as there was no housing available.

However, after being contacted by a church group, meetings were held with council leader Miriam Lewis.

At a council meeting last week councillors agreed to pledge support of “non-financial interest” in helping three resettlement schemes.

This was approved on the condition that there were assurances from the Home Office there would be no financial cost to the council.

Any financial cost, which the council believes could be up to £1,000 a month, could be met by Crowdfunding money from residents.

Ms Lewis said: “We have been looking at different funding and looking at the idea of crowdfunding. There are lots of people saying how much they want to have this — I am one of them. I think these people would make contributions.

“This is not something done out of guilt but done out of compassion. I think this is a generous community.”

Across the county 11 families have been rehomed in Colchester, one fam- ily in Harlow, two in Epping, one in Uttlesford and one in Tendring.

But councillors raised concerns about whether the council should be responsible for organising a crowdfunding campaign.

David Sismey said: “We all understand the awful plight of families from Syria and other places in the world. I think the idea of crowdfunding is a nice idea if people want to be supportive across the community — I think it is a great way to show it.

“If the church group is willing to come forward with a rent free offer of accommodation then this financial risk could be mitigated and alleviate the need for crowdfunding.

"In terms of the council providing that rent that is not something that is going to be possible in the context of the budget already discussed this evening.”

But Andrew Cain described the proposals from Ms Lewis as “woolly” and said allowances needed to be made in the budget before any families are welcomed.

Sue White added: “Even if there is no financial costs this sounds like it is going to be a high officer time cost.

"Crowdfunding — is that really a district council operation or should it not be down to the public?

“We are going to have to pay if we put officer time into it so it is still a cost.

"We keep hearing officers are short of time and resources. We need to be mindful not just voting with guilt rather than reality.”