MEMBERS of the borough's UKIP group have slammed Dudley Council's decision to welcome around 20 Syrian refugee families to Dudley.

The council announced on Friday it had agreed to help with the international refugee crisis by offering housing, health and educational support to help those fleeing war torn homelands.

But Dudley UKIP members say they cannot agree with the decision, which they have branded "undemocratic".

They said "at no point was there any consultation with elected representatives on the council".

Council chiefs say the borough has a duty to do help some of the thousands of refugees fleeing Syria but they have stressed all assistance provided will be funded nationally.

However Dudley UKIP members say people on the borough's council house waiting list should be housed before the authority considers offering accommodation to refugees.

Cllr Dean Perks said: “We are making cuts to services that impact on the most vulnerable in our society.

"It is an insult to these residents that we can find money to offer furnished homes to refugees that will cost us over many years.

"We need to get our own house in order before we offer refuge to anyone."

Those coming into the borough, who will legally be allowed to stay for up to five years, will be able to receive help including clothing, language support and other essential assistance.

The government has yet to release details on how funding will be allocated but there is not expected to be any cost to the borough.

And council bosses have stressed locals will remain a priority while the authority assists the refugees and it has pledged to continue to help vulnerable groups, such as ex-armed forces personnel, to find suitable council housing.

Councillor Gaye Partridge, Dudley's cabinet member for housing, said: “The help we are offering will not detract from the services we provide and local people will remain a priority when it comes to education, housing and the many other services we provide. But this is about going that extra mile to help people in desperate need."

The Bishop of Dudley, the Right Rev Graham Usher, has praised the council's pledge to help saying he’s “proud to be part of a community that is looking to welcome Syrian families who are fleeing from war and brutality”.