Agenda item

To consider a motion on notice submitted by Councillors Fish, Dowding, Peter Jackson, Deery and Riches.

 

Officer Briefing Note published 18 September 2025.

Councillor Fish proposed the following motion having given the required notice to the Chief Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15:-

 

“Council notes:

 

For 22 months, residents in Lancaster from a range of backgrounds, nationalities and faiths have held a weekly vigil in Market Square to express their horror as the avoidable tragedy in Gaza has unfolded.

 

The resulting deep humanitarian crisis has prompted a Lancaster-based campaign to fund a water well project in Gaza, led by a Lancaster University PhD graduate who lived here for many years and has since returned to Gaza. Around £35,000 has been raised so far.

 

Local residents came to speak to Full Council in 2023 imploring the Council to use its influence.

 

Ward councillors have been approached with requests to represent community concern over the conflict.

 

Our local communities - frustrated and disappointed in the Government's action to date - look to us to use our local community leadership role to put pressure on the Government and to ensure that the Council is not supporting the arms trade financially.

 

Lancaster and Lakes Jewish Community and Lancaster Islamic Society have been consulted in the creation of this motion to reduce the risk of harming community cohesion.

 

The Council’s strategic risk register identifies an uncomfortable level of risk that 'International and national issues [can] impact on the strategic and financial context of the Council and/or partners, businesses and communities’ (SR11), and unfolding political and military events worldwide, including in Ukraine and Palestine, reinforce this position. 

 

There is immense legal risk associated with investments and cooperation with entities that assist or perpetrate violations of international law.

 

Lancashire County Pension Fund adopted the revised Responsible Investment Policy in March 2025 which states that ‘Considering Human Rights as a priority for the Fund can support the objective of ensuring long-term, sustainable investment performance’.

 

Council believes:

 

·       There is support for the Council to take action from all sections of our community.

 

·       The Council should now take further action in its commitment to amplify the voices of our local communities who want the Council to support their call for human rights and international law to be respected in Gaza and adhere to robust ethical standards in line with its fiduciary duties in financial matters.

 

·       The Lancashire County Pension Fund, to which the Council as an employer, as well as Council employees and other district residents contribute, should adhere to robust ethical standards, in line with its fiduciary duty towards scheme members and employers.

 

 

Council resolves to:

 

1)    Request that the Council leader writes to the Prime Minister asking him to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire to stop the catastrophic loss of life in Gaza and the West Bank, and the return of all hostages.

 

2)    Request that the Cabinet member for Finance and Property asks the Chief Finance Officer to explore how the City Council can adopt the following principles to the best of its  ability:

 

1. avoid any transactions with financial companies or financial instruments which have direct or indirect links with companies who are investing in or trading with entities implicated in human rights abuses, such as state violence and repression, war and occupation, grave violations of human rights as defined in international law (including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide);

 

2. avoid any transactions with organisations involved in the production of weapons, weapon parts, or military equipment where there is a risk of the violations listed in (2)i being committed.

 

3. incorporate wherever possible, and in line with applicable legislation and fiduciary duties, the Principles for Responsible Investment and Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

 

The above could be achieved by placing investment/debt with the UK Government’s Debt Management Office and/or UK-based building societies, and by withdrawing treasury management investment from global financial counter parties. The Cabinet Member for Finance and Property to report back at next Full Council.

 

3)    Request that the Cabinet Member for Procurement asks the Chief Officer for Governance to reduce the risk of transactions contravening (2)i and (2)ii via the Council’s Procurement Strategy, within legal and other applicable frameworks.

 

This could be achieved by: the Council creating a self-certification system so that companies tendering for contracts confirm, as a condition of business with the Council, that they do not have supply chain business, investment or debt with companies or financial instruments involved in activities listed in (2)i or (2)ii and; ethical procurement being a guiding principle in the drafting of the Procurement Strategy.”

 

Councillor Dowding seconded the motion.

 

An officer briefing note had been included with the motion on the agenda.

 

An amendment to the motion had been submitted in advance of the meeting by Councillor Ainscough. She proposed the amendment:

 

“This Council notes:

• For 22 months, residents in Lancaster from a range of backgrounds, nationalities and faiths have held a weekly vigil in Market Square to express their horror as the avoidable tragedy in Gaza has unfolded.

• The resulting deep humanitarian crisis has prompted a Lancaster-based campaign to fund a water well project in Gaza, led by a Lancaster University PhD graduate who lived here for many years and has since returned to Gaza. Around £35,000 has been raised so far.

• Local residents came to speak to Full Council in 2023 imploring the Council to use its influence.

• Ward councillors have been approached with requests to represent community concern over the conflict.

 • Our local communities – frustrated and disappointed in the Government's action to date – look to us to use our local community leadership role to put pressure on the Government and to ensure that the Council is not supporting the arms trade financially. • Lancaster and Lakes Jewish Community and Lancaster Islamic Society have been consulted in the creation of this motion to reduce the risk of harming community cohesion.

• The Council’s strategic risk register identifies an uncomfortable level of risk that 'International and national issues [can] impact on the strategic and financial context of the Council and/or partners, businesses and communities’ (SR11), and unfolding political and military events worldwide, including in Ukraine and Palestine, reinforce this position.

• There is immense legal risk associated with investments and cooperation with entities that assist or perpetrate violations of international law. • Lancashire County Pension Fund adopted the revised Responsible Investment Policy in March 2025 which states that ‘Considering Human Rights as a priority for the Fund can support the objective of ensuring long-term, sustainable investment performance’.

• That the Modern Slavery Act 2015 requires transparency in supply chains, and councils have a leadership role in ensuring procurement and investments do not enable forced or exploitative labour.

• That the UN Human Rights Council’s Commission of Inquiry report (A/HRC/60/CRP.3, September 2025) found reasonable grounds to believe that genocide is being committed in Gaza, highlighting states’ duties to prevent, to avoid complicity, and to act consistently with international law.

• In September 2025, the UK formally recognised the State of Palestine, alongside other international partners. A wider wave of recognitions is ongoing. This Council welcomes this development and will align its language and expectations accordingly, while remaining sensitive to community cohesion and equality duties. Council believes: • There is support for the Council to take action from all sections of our community.

• The Council should now take further action in its commitment to amplify the voices of our local communities who want the Council to support their call for human rights and international law to be respected in Gaza and adhere to robust ethical standards in line with its fiduciary duties in financial matters.

• The Lancashire County Pension Fund, to which the Council as an employer, as well as Council employees and other district residents contribute, should adhere to robust ethical standards, in line with its fiduciary duty towards scheme members and employers.

• Ethical governance works best as a unified framework: integrating sustainability, Fair Work, Fair Tax, human rights, and anti-slavery so public money does not fund harm.

 

Council resolves:

 

To adopt a comprehensive Ethical Procurement and Investment Framework (2025–2029) that replaces the Procurement Strategy (2020–2024) and incorporates the intent of the Gaza motion alongside Fair Tax, Fair Work, and Modern Slavery commitments.

 

1.     Sustainability & Social Value

 

•    Build on the Council’s commitments to climate action, community wealth building, and social value.

•    Support local businesses and SMEs wherever possible, strengthening Lancaster’s regenerative and distributive economy.

•    Ensure procurement contributes to the Council’s goal of a zero?carbon, fair, and resilient local economy.

 

2. Fair Tax & Financial Integrity

 

•    Require contractors and partners to demonstrate responsible tax conduct and transparency of ownership.

•    Avoid relationships with companies using tax havens or aggressive avoidance practices.

•    Encourage recognition of standards such as the Fair Tax Mark, while ensuring fairness to SMEs and VCSEs.

 

3. Human Rights & Responsible Investment

 

•    Exclude suppliers and investments linked to arms trading, violations of international law, or grave human rights abuses.

•    Ensure procurement and investments are consistent with the UK’s recognition of Palestine and with evolving international law and the Council’s equality and human rights duties.

•    Request that the Leader writes to the Prime Minister to urge a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the West Bank, the return of all hostages, and concrete diplomatic action to give effect to recognition of Palestine.

 

4. Fair Work, Modern Slavery & Labour Rights

 

•    Embed the principles of Lancaster’s Fair Work Charter into procurement and contracting, ensuring that public money supports decent pay, secure work, equality, and healthy workplaces.

•    Require suppliers to publish Modern Slavery statements (where applicable), self?certify supply chain compliance, and demonstrate due diligence against forced, bonded, or child labour.

•    Encourage adoption of recognised standards such as the Living Wage Foundation accreditation and support for collective bargaining, in line with the Charter. • Introduce supplier self?certification on Fair Tax, human rights, and modern slavery, with movement towards recognised third?party standards (voluntary).

•    Update Contract Procedure Rules and publish a revised supplier toolkit covering climate, fair tax, human rights, fair work, and modern slavery.

•    Require an annual Ethical Procurement & Investment Report to Full Council (including a section on international developments such as evolving recognition of Palestine)

•    Establish a cross?party Ethical Governance Working Group to oversee delivery and prevent commitments from stalling.

•    Write to the Lancashire County Pension Fund to welcome its Responsible Investment Policy, request implementation details, and seek assurance that exclusions cover tax avoidance, arms trading, modern slavery, and human rights abuses.”  

 

The amendment was seconded by Councillor Wood.

 

At the conclusion of a lengthy debate on the amendment a vote was taken. The amendment fell with 18 voting for, 28 against and 5 abstentions.

 

Council then debated the substantive motion for some time.

 

The Deputy Mayor called for a vote and the motion was clearly carried.

 

Resolved:-

 

Council notes:

 

For 22 months, residents in Lancaster from a range of backgrounds, nationalities and faiths have held a weekly vigil in Market Square to express their horror as the avoidable tragedy in Gaza has unfolded.

 

The resulting deep humanitarian crisis has prompted a Lancaster-based campaign to fund a water well project in Gaza, led by a Lancaster University PhD graduate who lived here for many years and has since returned to Gaza. Around £35,000 has been raised so far.

 

Local residents came to speak to Full Council in 2023 imploring the Council to use its influence.

 

Ward councillors have been approached with requests to represent community concern over the conflict.

 

Our local communities - frustrated and disappointed in the Government's action to date - look to us to use our local community leadership role to put pressure on the Government and to ensure that the Council is not supporting the arms trade financially.

 

Lancaster and Lakes Jewish Community and Lancaster Islamic Society have been consulted in the creation of this motion to reduce the risk of harming community cohesion.

 

The Council’s strategic risk register identifies an uncomfortable level of risk that 'International and national issues [can] impact on the strategic and financial context of the Council and/or partners, businesses and communities’ (SR11), and unfolding political and military events worldwide, including in Ukraine and Palestine, reinforce this position. 

 

There is immense legal risk associated with investments and cooperation with entities that assist or perpetrate violations of international law.

 

Lancashire County Pension Fund adopted the revised Responsible Investment Policy in March 2025 which states that ‘Considering Human Rights as a priority for the Fund can support the objective of ensuring long-term, sustainable investment performance’.

 

Council believes:

 

·       There is support for the Council to take action from all sections of our community.

 

·       The Council should now take further action in its commitment to amplify the voices of our local communities who want the Council to support their call for human rights and international law to be respected in Gaza, and adhere to robust ethical standards in line with its fiduciary duties in financial matters.

 

·       The Lancashire County Pension Fund, to which the Council as an employer, as well as Council employees and other district residents contribute, should adhere to robust ethical standards, in line with its fiduciary duty towards scheme members and employers.

 

Council resolves to:

 

1)    Request that the Council leader writes to the Prime Minister asking him to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire to stop the catastrophic loss of life in Gaza and the West Bank, and the return of all hostages.

 

2)    Request that the Cabinet member for Finance and Property asks the Chief Finance Officer to explore how the City Council can adopt the following principles to the best of its  ability:

 

1. avoid any transactions with financial companies or financial instruments which have direct or indirect links with companies who are investing in or trading with entities implicated in human rights abuses, such as state violence and repression, war and occupation, grave violations of human rights as defined in international law (including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide);

 

2. avoid any transactions with organisations involved in the production of weapons, weapon parts, or military equipment where there is a risk of the violations listed in (2)i being committed.

 

3. incorporate wherever possible, and in line with applicable legislation and fiduciary duties, the Principles for Responsible Investment and Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

 

The above could be achieved by placing investment/debt with the UK Government’s Debt Management Office and/or UK-based building societies, and by withdrawing treasury management investment from global financial counter parties. The Cabinet Member for Finance and Property to report back at next Full Council.

 

3)    Request that the Cabinet Member for Procurement asks the Chief Officer for Governance to reduce the risk of transactions contravening (2)i and (2)ii via the Council’s Procurement Strategy, within legal and other applicable frameworks.

 

This could be achieved by: the Council creating a self-certification system so that companies tendering for contracts confirm, as a condition of business with the Council, that they do not have supply chain business, investment or debt with companies or financial instruments involved in activities listed in (2)i or (2)ii and; ethical procurement being a guiding principle in the drafting of the Procurement Strategy.