THE chief executive of Inverclyde Council has told a Scottish Parliament committee that the area will continue to play an ‘active part’ in welcoming asylum seekers.

Louise Long is giving evidence to Holyrood’s Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committtee today.

In her opening speech, she noted that the area has worked in partnership with Cosla, the Scottish Government, the Home Office, and the UK Government’s private contractor Mears.

Ms Long said: “Inverclyde is known as being a warm and welcoming place.

“Whilst Inverclyde’s statutory third sector and communities have welcomed these initiatives, it’s fair to say for a small area, this has created some challenges.

OTHER NEWS: Greenock Telegraph Community Champion Awards winners revealed 

"However, we continue to work in partnership with the Asylum Partnership Board, where all agencies work collaboratively together in order to ensure that dispersal is recognisable and is proportionate.

“We also, like other local authorities across Scotland, understand the importance and the richness that people new to Scotland bring.

“Through our Afghan and our Syrian families, we have welcomed a number of families into our community and we will continue to play an active part.”

During the meeting, Ms Long also noted that Inverclyde’s high amount of rented accommodation has the potential to ‘disproportionately impact’ the number of asylum seekers the area can take in.

She stressed the importance of managing the available accommodation in a way which supports both asylum seekers and Inverclyde communities.