Motion concerning Ukraine – full motion in Agenda Pack

Proposed by:  Councillor Mike Dendor

Seconded by:  Councillor Cameron Beart

Amendment added to website 25 March 2022.

In proposing the motion as set-out on the Agenda, Councillor Mike Dendor described his family connection to the Ukraine and his Polish father’s experience escaping to the United Kingdom in 1939, and he drew parallels with the current conflict in Ukraine.  He said he was pleased to see that Councils, including SBC and Kent County Council, were already taking steps to digress interest, investments and supplies from Russian companies and that the Government were working towards ending supplies from Russian-sourced energy and seizure of assets.  Councillor Dendor also spoke of the work being carried-out by Government to assist in the safe passage of refugees and referred to war criminals being answerable to their crimes.  Finally, he said he was proud of the efforts of organisations and of individuals in opening their arms and hearts to genuine refugees.

In seconding the motion, Councillor Cameron Beart spoke of his personal connection to eastern Europe and his observations of the people and the impact that the outside influence of occupied forces had over the years.  He spoke of the determination, strength and perseverance of the Ukraine population and the changes in political views in the Czech Republic.

Councillor Ben J Martin proposed an amendment to the motion as set-out on the Council’s website and tabled.  He said that whilst he welcomed the motion, there was more action the Council could do.  Councillor Martin spoke of the difficulties faced by refugees entering the country and the need to simplify visa forms and protect escape routes.  He said that the Council needed to look at where funds were going, and he highlighted that the Kent Pension Fund invested in Russian fuel.  Councillor Martin said the amendment added to what action could be taken.

In seconding the motion, Councillor Perkin referred to the 1951 Refugee Convention which the UK had taken the lead on, giving protection to refugees.  She said that more than 2million people had been forced to flee Ukraine within the first two weeks of the war. Councillor Perkin said Amnesty International had called for the measures of the Nationalities and Borders Bill currently making its way through Parliament to be abandoned since it ‘flew in the face’ of the Refugee Convention.  She praised the Government for setting-up settlement schemes quickly and for the UK to commit humanitarian resources and work with global partners, to ensure that all those involved in crime under international law were found accountable.  Councillor Perkin praised the generous British public for opening their doors to refugees but, said the process needed to be streamlined more rapidly as of the 200,000 that had agreed to house refugees, only 2,700 refugees had currently been housed.  Finally, she spoke about the funding raised and support offered by the British public.

Members were invited to debate the amended motion and they raised points including:

·         Welcomed the amendment;

·         the war was an unprovoked, indefensible invasion of innocent people;

·         it was hard to justify not implementing a no-fly zone;

·         spoke in support of the amendment;

·         welcomed the Prime Minister’s statement that even in the event of a ceasefire, sanctions would continue;

·         the Council had a role to play, what could be done practically?;

·         referred to the issues of Ukrainian families arriving in the UK to join their families but becoming homeless due to lack of accommodation, and hoped the Government would link-up refugees with available accommodation more efficiently;

·         spoke of the issues of blocked media and communication to Ukraine and Russia; and

·         it was everyone’s duty to do what they could and what was right.

Councillor Dendor said the issue was with Putin, not the Russian people.  He spoke cautiously and did not support a no-fly zone and said that a better action was to provide Ukrainians with supplies. As proposer of the original motion, he said that whilst he was disappointed in some of the changes, he understood the spirit of the amendment and was happy to support it. On being put to the vote, Members voted unanimously to support the amended motion.

The motion was then put to the vote and Members agreed unanimously to support it.

Resolved:

(1)  That Council note that:

Swale Borough Council is immensely troubled by the horrific devastation in Ukraine, and the escalating humanitarian crisis facing the Country as a result of the illegal invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation.  The attack on Ukraine, a democratic, sovereign nation is an attack on the principles of democracy and the right to self-determination.

(2)  In light of (1), and as a way of expressing support for members of our community who are from or who have ties with Ukraine, this Council:

(a) Condemns the unprovoked illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine on the orders of the dictator Putin and his sycophants, and stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and their families and friends, including those within Swale;

(b) Sympathises with those Russians living under an oppressive regime whose only reward for speaking out against Putin is prison and risk of death;

(c) Stands ready to provide support and open our arms to all those affected by this War;

(d) Will work with and support the efforts of our community to provide help and comfort to those in need;

(e) Immediately request a report from the Kent Pension Fund on the investments our Council’s Pension Fund currently has in Russian companies. Where these investments still exist, Council calls on the Pension Fund to make immediate arrangements to divest any shares in Russian companies;

(f) Admires the bravery and determination of Ukrainian forces and civilians in defending their nation;

(g) Acknowledges the opposition of many ordinary Russians, both within Russia and in other nations, including the UK, to Putin’s aggression, and the risk many have taken to protest against the invasion.

(3)  This Council also resolves to:

Ask all Group Leaders sign a joint letter to the Prime Minister, Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary calling on the UK Government to:

(1)  Offer sanctuary to Ukrainian people in their hour of need without having to go through the prolonged visa application process;

(2) End our dependence on Russian energy and fast-track the transition to renewable energy sources;

(3) Impose the severest economic, financial, technical and cultural sanctions on the Russian state;

(4) Work to strengthen international efforts to protect civilians and non-combatants, provide humanitarian relief, and help bring perpetrators of crimes under international law to justice;

(5) Press for parties to the conflict to create & respect humanitarian corridors to safe havens, for all civilians to have access to transportation and time to leave, and for international observers to be granted access to monitor their safe passage.