A TWO-year plan to improve services for asylum seekers has been approved by council leaders.

The strategy, outlined in a document titled "Bury Welcomes Asylum Seekers and Refugees", aims to promote settlement and integration, and encourage those who remain to contribute to society.

Officers say that many have suffered horrific experiences in their own country and, because of cultural differences, sometimes find it difficult to get mainstream services. Different agencies will work together more closely to meet their temporary housing, education, health and social needs, and to support destitute failed asylum seekers until their removal.

Figures presented to Wednesday's (Sep 8) executive showed that there are 494 asylum seekers in the borough: the largest groups from Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, Somalia, Turkey and Iraq.

However, Tory leader Roy Walker said the word "welcomes" was misleading and might be provocative for some who were concerned about the number coming in. He suggested replacing it with "assists", because there were many people here who voluntarily taught English, for instance, or arranged social events.

Coun Walker complained about the red tape, such as risk assessments and insurance, that prevented people from organising day trips out for asylum seekers. "Some of these people have escaped from Saddam's Iraq or Sierra Leone where their relatives have had their arms chopped off, yet we can't take them to Chester or Shrewsbury on a Saturday," he said.

Labour councillor Tim Chamberlain said he shared those frustrations, adding: "The word 'welcomes' is stating an intention. Compared to some parts of the country, we have a lot to be proud of in what we've done through official channels and by individuals in making a real effort to help people who need our support."

And Coun Wayne Campbell, deputy leader, said: "It would have been easy to take that word out, but the local authority has to take a lead. We have got to be seen to welcome people because certain sections of our community do not."