A PILOT scheme to house 10 refugee families in Oxford was revealed last night.

Oxford City Council said it would involve only private housing and that it would seek funding from the Government.

A spokesman said it had not yet had a response to its offer but more discussions would take place over the coming weeks “to ensure there is no negative impact on any provision to refugees or vulnerable people already in the city”.

He added: “The city council is continuing to work with the county council, district councils, volunteer, community and faith groups on an Oxfordshire-wide response to accommodate refugees fleeing from the Syrian war.”

City council leader Bob Price, Labour, added: “This pilot is an initial short-term solution to assess where we are with our plans and see if we are on the right track.

“We will continue to work with the county and district councils to develop a sustainable long-term plan.

“Further meetings are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks and we are confident of creating a process that will provide the right level of support to refugees coming to the city.”

It comes after the Green group proposed a motion to full council for the city to take on at least 60 refugees.

Craig Simmons, Green group leader, called on the council to make available community halls and other buildings it owned.