IN the run-up to Local Democracy Week Bridport Town Council is calling on the government to retain the Human Rights Act.

The motion was proposed by Cllr Kevin Clayton.

He said: "The current refugee crisis illustrates the importance of such rights, which need to apply to those displaced from their country of birth as much as to current citizens of the UK.

"The council congratulates all those in Bridport who have sent aid and pledges to review, through reports to committee, what it may need to do, to support any refugee families who may be allocated to our town."

Although councillors were keen to support the motion they wanted the wording changed so as not commit the council to open-ended support of refugees which might have financial implications.

Cllr Sarah Williams said she supported the motion but could not support the pledge that the council would 'do it all it can' to support any refugee families who might be allocated to the town., however I feel we need more discussion.

She said: ""The reason I cannot support that it that it has financial implications."

Keith Day said: "I do worry if we are going to put any of our resources into supporting refugees to the detriment of our own people here. I think that comes first.

"I don't think think the human rights act has served this country well."

Town clerk Bob Gillis said the council needed to be clear on what the town council can do.

He said: "Potentially we own property, we could look at ways to support refugees if it gets to the stage we need to look at emergency accommodation."

Cllr Clayton was happy to amend the wording.

He added: "The motion sends out a message and that's the urgency."