Agenda item

Standing in the name of Councillor Heather Williams

This council notes and supports the statement endorsed by the Local Government Association:

 

European local and regional governments strongly support their peers in Ukraine

We, local and regional leaders across Europe, strongly condemn the multiple attacks and violations of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. We express our full support and solidarity to the Ukrainian people and our peers in local and regional government. We will not accept that our European values and integrity be attacked again by the Russian Federation after the violation of Georgian territories by Russia in 2008. We are firmly opposed to the dismemberment of a free and democratic state in Europe.

 

The escalation of violence, repeated bombings and attacks on Ukrainian cities and territories are a serious threat to the preservation of peace and democracy across Europe. We call on the Federation of Russia to cease its attack, to leave the national territory of Ukraine, to respect all international treaties and fundamental principles of international law and to recognise the full sovereignty of Ukraine over all its territories, including Donbas and Crimea.

Firmly convinced of local democracy and city diplomacy, based on the values of peace that unite our municipalities across Europe since 1951, we stand by the Ukrainian municipalities, cities, hromadas, districts, raions and their representative associations. They are in the front line to protect the population and provide basic services to offer them good quality living conditions and daily survival. The destruction of infrastructure by the belligerents jeopardises the efficient and safe maintenance of basic public services provided by Ukrainian local and regional governments to their citizens.

As European local and regional governments, representing 60 national associations across 40 European countries, including Ukraine, we will continue to work to support them in their efforts. Not only are we ready to support our peers in the country with the materials and expertise they may need in the days and weeks to come. Municipalities and regions will probably have to face soon the human consequences of such a tragedy for Europe, probably resulting in a flow of humanitarian refugees. Coordination with our national governments will be essential. 

As the European section of United Cities and Local Governments, let us hope that city diplomacy will soon unite us all again!

This council will:

  • Endorse the statement.
  • Support efforts by government to support those seeking refuge as a result of this conflict.
  • Fly the Ukraine flag in solidarity with our local government colleagues and the people of Ukraine.

Decision:

Council Agreed the following motion:

 

This council will:

·         Endorse the statement.

·         Pledge to support all those seeking refuge as a result of this conflict.

·         Work with Government but we need the Government to do more to establish accessible, swift and safe routes to the UK for all of those fleeing Ukraine and to assist local Councils in their work, welcoming and supporting refugees from Ukraine. This includes clarity on safeguarding measures, ongoing support once the initial period has passed and assistance for people seeking refuge to find work as soon as they wish after arrival.

·         Continue to fly the Ukraine flag in solidarity with our local government colleagues and the people of Ukraine.

Minutes:

European local and regional governments strongly support their peers in Ukraine

We, local and regional leaders across Europe, strongly condemn the multiple attacks and violations of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. We express our full support and solidarity to the Ukrainian people and our peers in local and regional government. We will not accept that our European values and integrity be attacked again by the Russian Federation after the violation of Georgian territories by Russia in 2008. We are firmly opposed to the dismemberment of a free and democratic state in Europe.

 

The escalation of violence, repeated bombings and attacks on Ukrainian cities and territories are a serious threat to the preservation of peace and democracy across Europe. We call on the Federation of Russia to cease its attack, to leave the national territory of Ukraine, to respect all international treaties and fundamental principles of international law and to recognise the full sovereignty of Ukraine over all its territories, including Donbas and Crimea.

 

Firmly convinced of local democracy and city diplomacy, based on the values of peace that unite our municipalities across Europe since 1951, we stand by the Ukrainian municipalities, cities, hromadas, districts, raions and their representative associations. They are in the front line to protect the population and provide basic services to offer them good quality living conditions and daily survival. The destruction of infrastructure by the belligerents jeopardises the efficient and safe maintenance of basic public services provided by Ukrainian local and regional governments to their citizens.

As European local and regional governments, representing 60 national associations across 40 European countries, including Ukraine, we will continue to work to support them in their efforts. Not only are we ready to support our peers in the country with the materials and expertise they may need in the days and weeks to come. Municipalities and regions will probably have to face soon the human consequences of such a tragedy for Europe, probably resulting in a flow of humanitarian refugees. Coordination with our national governments will be essential. 

 

As the European section of United Cities and Local Governments, let us hope that city diplomacy will soon unite us all again!

This council will:

  • Endorse the statement.
  • Support efforts by government to support those seeking refuge as a result of this conflict.
  • Fly the Ukraine flag in solidarity with our local government colleagues and the people of Ukraine.

 

Councillor Heather Williams proposed the above Motion, praising the Ukrainians for their resistance to the invasion of their country. She accused Putin of undermining democracy and urged Council to support the Ukrainians and the Motion.

 

Councillor Bridget Smith proposed the following amendments to the Motion:

 

This council will:

  • Endorse the statement.
  • Pledge to sSupport all those efforts by government to support those seeking refuge as a result of this conflict.
  • Work with Government but we need the Government to do more to establish accessible, swift and safe routes to the UK for all of those fleeing Ukraine and to assist local Councils in their work, welcoming and supporting refugees from Ukraine. This includes clarity on safeguarding measures, ongoing support once the initial period has passed and assistance for people seeking refuge to find work as soon as they wish after arrival.
  • Continue to Ffly the Ukraine flag in solidarity with our local government colleagues and the people of Ukraine.

 

Councillor Heather Williams agreed to the amendments above, which were therefore accepted without debate.

 

Councillor Bridget Smith explained that she was the Vice Chair of the cross party District Councils’ Network which had sent a three page document to the Government asking for clarity regarding the role District Council could play in assisting Ukrainians fleeing the conflict. 

 

Councillor Nigel Cathcart stated that he supported the humanitarian initiatives of the Council and he opposed the war, which he saw as a failure of diplomacy and could have been avoided if Ukraine had declared itself neutral instead of being encouraged to joint NATO. He was concerned that the wrong kind of encouragement to Ukraine could prolong the war and that the interests of all sides needed to be considered. 

 

Councillor Martin Cahn expressed his support for the Motion. He asserted that co-operation between local authorities could promote local democracies in former Soviet block countries. 

 

Councillor Dr Tumi Hawkins expressed concern about racism in Ukraine where refugees were removed from trains due to the colour of their skin and it was important that all refugees were supported. She supported the Motion. 

 

Councillor Brian Milnes supported the Motion. He stated that Ukraine had been given assurance by Russia in the early 1990s that their territory would be respected and the Council should declare its revulsion at Putin’s invasion. 

 

Councillor Grenville Chamberlain declared his unconditional support for this Motion. He stated that the priority was to ensure that the refugees could safely travel to this country.

 

Councillor Deborah Roberts stated that Putin did not understand diplomacy and that we had a duty to stand up to him. She expressed concern at any implied criticism of the Government on a matter which should be non-partisan. She disagreed with the suggestion that the Ukrainians were racist. 

 

Councillor Dr Bhattacharya expressed her support for the Motion. She explained that her charity events were raising money for Ukrainian refugees and invited councillors to attend. She added that Council needed to be aware that many Russian residents in the District were changing their names and identities.  

 

Councillor Pippa Heylings supported the Motion. She stated that the country needed to provide safe and secure passage for those fleeing the war. Local authorities had already provided a haven for Syrian and Afghani refugees and now needed to provide similar instructions for those fleeing Ukraine. 

 

Councillor Graham Cone stated that local authorities needed to work with the Government to support Ukrainian refugees and this should not be about politics. 

 

Councillor Heather Williams stated that the purpose of the Motion was for the Council to express its united support for Ukraine, a self-governing nation and for the victims of an unjust war enacted by an evil man. She urged Council to support the Motion.

 

A vote was taken and were cast as follows:

 

In favour (28):

Councillors Henry Batchelor, John Batchelor, Dr Shrobona Bhattacharya, Anna Bradnam, Dr Martin Cahn, Grenville Chamberlain, Graham Cone, Clare Delderfield, Sue Ellington, Peter Fane, Neil Gough, Jose Hales, Bill Handley, Sally Ann Hart, Geoff Harvey, Dr Tumi Hawkins, Pippa Heylings, Alex Malyon, Brian Milnes, Judith Rippeth, Deborah Roberts, Bridget Smith, Dr Ian Sollom, Bunty Waters, Heather Williams, John Williams, Dr Richard Williams and Eileen Wilson.

 

Against (0)

 

Abstain (1): Nigel Cathcart

 

Council Agreed the following motion:

 

This Council will:

·         Endorse the statement.

·         Pledge to support all those seeking refuge as a result of this conflict.

·         Work with Government but we need the Government to do more to establish accessible, swift and safe routes to the UK for all of those fleeing Ukraine and to assist local Councils in their work, welcoming and supporting refugees from Ukraine. This includes clarity on safeguarding measures, ongoing support once the initial period has passed and assistance for people seeking refuge to find work as soon as they wish after arrival.

·         Continue to fly the Ukraine flag in solidarity with our local government colleagues and the people of Ukraine.