EASTLEIGH’S council leader says the local authority is still waiting for guidance from Government in helping house Syrian refugees.

Borough council leader Keith House said that Hampshire’s emergency planning officer would take the lead in speaking with the Home Office, but said councils are still being asked to help but “without any real details”.

And he said it was harder for districts like Eastleigh which do not own housing stock to address the issue.

He said the Government had not yet said whether the county council in its role in charge of adult and child services or the district councils as the housing authority should make decisions and “was giving little clues”.

But he said the issue was too important to duck and the most effective way for Eastleigh to help at present would be working with Southampton City Council.

As previously reported Southampton City Council pledged to take 25 families.

Winchester City Council has launched a new scheme to aid refugees.

The council is encouraging home-owners with spare rooms to come forward to take in lodgers or tenants with council support It is also working with its housing teams to keep some properties that are scheduled for sale.

“We’ll be keeping closely in touch with this issue as the Government finally clarifies the position,” said Cllr House, pictured. “If and when we can play a constructive part we will do so.”

The UK has pledged to accept up to 20,000 refugees from Syria over the next five years as civil war continues there.

So far the war has seen thousands of people make their way across Europe.