Two months after the York discovered its collective conscience and offered to help Syrian refugees, just how many have actually made the short 2 hour flight from the camps in Greece to the City?

The short answer is none.

The delays are becoming an embarrassment as first local and national government bickered over who would pick up the bill, and then – following an announcement that the PM would allow 20,000 refuges into the country – insurmountable bureaucratic hurdles have prevented speedy action.

Now with winter approaching conditions for the refugees are rapidly deteriorating.

The York Council Leadership says that the supply of information from the government about the process and funding to house and support refugees has been slow and limited.

“This is why there has as yet not been any confirmation of when refugees may arrive or how many there may initially be – the information is gradually emerging.

We now understand that funding will be provided to local authorities for a refugee’s full five years in the UK, but not exactly what this will cover.

City of York Council has been in contact with the Home Office and Migration Yorkshire – and a meeting with officials is planned in early November.

We do plan to hold a joint press conference once we have the information we need – specifically covering arrival – and are in a position to confirm how many refugees we will take. This will likely take place with other organisations, including York Minster – following a meeting last week.

In the meantime CYC has been promoting a new fund called the York Refugee Appeal, hosted by the Two Ridings Community Foundation, in coordination with local media. Other offers of help are of course very gratefully received, and can be directed to refugeesupport@york.gov.uk”.

So what should happen?

Many people who offered help and support 8 weeks ago are still waiting to find out what they can do and when.

Some chose to take direct action with several visiting the refugee camps.

• The Council should update the refugee page on its web site each week (at least) providing details of what is being done
• The should appoint a named official to coordinate action with aid agencies and volunteers in the City
• The MPs for the city should press central government to be more open about timetables and processes. There needs to be a greater sense of urgency

We know that these voluntary bodies are activity involved in the process

• Save the Children
• City of Sanctuary
• Refugee Action York
• Migration Yorkshire

But it is the statutory agencies that need to up their game as winter approaches