Decision details

To decide on the response to the petition calling on the County Council to divest the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), and end procurement contracts, with companies enabling Israel’s grave violations of Palestinian rights.

5.1       The Lead Member considered a report by the Chief Finance Officer and Chief Operating Officer.

5.2       Mr Laurence Holden, a representative of the petitioners spoke to highlight the ongoing concerns of the Hastings and District Palestine Solidarity Campaign through submission of questions and petitions to East Sussex County Council over a number of years and the statements and motions passed by other councils nationally to support divestment from arms companies supplying Israel with weapons and military technology.

DECISIONS

5.3       The Lead Member RESOLVED to advise petitioners:

(1) that the East Sussex Pension Fund has an agreed position regarding investments as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report; and

(2) to note the limitations on the Council in respect of procurement and termination of contracts as set out in paragraphs 2.8 to 2.12 of the report.

REASONS

5.4       The Council has considered the petitioners’ requests “to divest the Local Government Pension Scheme and end procurement contracts, with companies enabling Israel’s grave violations of Palestinian rights” together with the fiduciary duty upon Fund managers, the Fund’s investment strategy and relevant legal requirements in relation to contracts and procurement to formulate a response which set out in the report.