The first estimates of Ukrainian refugees in our area have been revealed, as measures for those fleeing the invasion are being finalised.

Safeguarding and other checks to protect Ukrainian refugees might have to take place after they arrive in Cheshire East because the important thing is to get them here, a councillor said.

Conservative group leader Janet Clowes (Wybunbury, Con) was speaking after Cllr Marilyn Houston (Crewe West, Lab) raised concerns about whether it was feasible for the council to undertake all the necessary checks so quickly following the implementation of the government's Homes for Ukraine Scheme.

Cllr Houston said at Thursday's meeting of the economy and growth committee, she believed 120,000 people nationally had so far expressed an interest in offering refugees a room in their home.

"It could be possible there may well be between 500 and 600 Ukrainian refugees hoping to come to Cheshire East and the people of Cheshire East hoping to host them, which I'm sure we would all welcome," said the Crewe councillor.

But she said she was worried there was an immediate expectation that local authorities have got to hit the ground running and have in place a system for safeguarding checks and accommodation checks before the refugees could move into an offered house or room.

"So with those numbers involved, and the shortness of time, my question is, is there a disconnect between what the government is promising and what is feasible for local authorities, in particular Cheshire East, to actually deliver very, very quickly?" she asked.

Committee chair Nick Mannion (Lab) said three separate families in his Macclesfield ward had experienced terrible delays in getting a visa for family members  – and they were mums and grandmothers.

He said: "Whereas in the past we've had experience with Syria and Afghanistan which was made up, not solely but predominantly of younger people, younger families, some of the people who will be coming, it will be a much more mixed demographic than it was in the past."

Peter Skates, director of growth and enterprise, agreed, telling the committee: "It's not just a housing issue, it's an adult social care issue and children and families issue."

Cllr Clowes and Cllr Mannion both said they had been on calls about these matters earlier that day.

Cllr Clowes told the committee: "The LGA (Local Government Association) are taking the lead on behalf of councils across the country to do that liaison between government, local government and indeed those who wanted to offer accommodation and respite for Ukrainian refugees.

"I think what was coming across very, very strongly is that the important thing is to get the people here first, even if we cannot do everything in quite the order we would have liked to.

"So consequently, the safeguarding issues, the DBS checks and that sort of thing will take place once people are here."

She said there was a lot of unanswered questions at this stage but added: "The priority was to get them here first and, I think we would agree, that we would want them here rather than stuck in Ukraine."

Do you think the estimated figure is too low? Well here's how you can help...

How can I offer accommodation in Macclesfield?

Macclesfield residents who want to offer accommodation to refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine can now register their interest on a government website.

The scheme, 'Homes for Ukraine', is designed to house Ukrainian nationals, or the immediate family of a Ukrainian national, who were a resident in Ukraine before January 1 this year.

Refugees who arrive in the UK under this scheme will be able live and work here for up to three years and have access to healthcare, benefits, employment support, education, and English language tuition.

People who want to provide accommodation must be able to do so for a minimum of six months, and ideally as long as possible.

You should not charge rent. There is also an optional payment of £350 for people who can accommodate one or more household to help with costs incurred.

You can offer a spare room, or separate self-contained accommodation.

You will not be expected to provide food or cover living expenses.

Initially you will only be able to sponsor a named person - and you'll have to contact them directly and fill in the visa application with all their details and yours from Friday 18 March.

However, the government has said that the scheme will be later be expanded to Ukrainians without UK links.

Both individuals and organisations can record their interest on the GOV.UK website here.

See Also: Medical supplies wanted at Macclesfield Ukrainian Aid Collection Point.

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