Decision details

Motion A - Plight of the Ukrainian People

Councillor Mark Healey proposed the recommendations which were seconded by Councillor Henry Hobhouse.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council RESOLVED to:

·       Note that as a result of the ongoing conflict over 1 million Ukrainians had been forced to leave the country fleeing the conflict, and that many of those people who had remained in the country were facing a humanitarian crisis.

·       Stand in solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people against Putin’s illegal invasion along with their friends and relatives here in Somerset.

·       Note Somersets proud record of supporting refugees fleeing from Afghanistan, Syria and many other conflicts, helping them to settle in Somerset.

Full Council therefore would:

·       Continue to provide support locally to Ukrainian refugees, working in collaboration with the local voluntary and community sector.

·       Call on Government to continue to provide essential aid to Ukraine by sending a letter to the Prime Minister from the Chair of Council.

Supplemental Note in relation to Motion B:

On 23 April 2024, Somerset Council voted on a motion in respect of a commercial investment property it owns at 600 Aztec West.  That motion included a statement that “the tenant Elbit UK [is] a major UK based provider of weapons to the Israeli Defence Forces, used in the current Gaza catastrophe“.

Elbit Systems UK Limited have contacted us to say this is factually incorrect and they do not supply weapons or military equipment to the Israeli Defence Forces or the Israeli Ministry of Defence.

The Council would like to apologise and withdraw the statement that Elbit Systems UK Limited supplies military equipment to the Israeli Defence Forces or the Israeli Ministry of Defence.

Motion B - Council Property Investment

Councillor Brian Smedley proposed the recommendations which were seconded by Councillor Shane Collins.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council RESOLVED to:

·       Note, that in the light of calls for an end of UK Arms sales to Israel, Somerset Council had been reviewing its interest in the Aztec West property in its commercial portfolio with a view to immediately disposing of the property or securing a means to legally evict the tenant Elbit UK, a major UK based provider of weapons to the Israeli Defence Forces, used in the current Gaza catastrophe.

·       Explore all ways of legally evicting Elbit UK or otherwise, to dispose of the property;

·       Ensure that moral and ethical considerations are fully appraised in addition to financial advantage in any future commercial property investments for yield.