Council motion, proposed by the Liberal Democrat Group, adopted by the whole of Bury Council.

Councillors Powell, Tegolo and S Wright. 

Emergency Motion

BURY STANDS WITH UKRAINE

This Council joins all residents across Bury in opposing Vladimir Putin’s barbaric war on Ukraine.

This Council notes that Bury has a proud history of providing sanctuary to those forced the flee their homeland. 

This Council recognises that we must play our part in supporting Ukrainian people and communities affected by this terrible conflict.

This Council therefore resolves to:

1. Reach out to the Ukrainian Community in Bury and the wider city region and offer the help and assistance they require during this heart-breaking period. 
2. Note  the commitments already made by the government to house displaced Ukraine families and making it clear that the Borough will go over and above to offer sanctuary and shelter to those that need it
3. Support, promote and work in partnership with local charitable, community and religious organisations who are working to provide resources and assistance for those affected and displaced by the conflict in Ukraine. 
4. Work with our local school community to urgently find placement for any school age children seeking refuge in Bury.
5. Support the local Russian community who are opposed to the violence and terror being wrought on Ukraine by a regime they do not support.
6. Promote opportunities to support other organisations working on the ground in Ukraine to provide humanitarian aid and shelter – these include but are not limited to the British Red Cross, UNICEF and the UN Refugee Council. 
7. Ask the Chief Executive to raise with the Home Office the situation children without passports are experiencing at the UK Border. 

This Council also recognises it has a role to play to ensure Russian political and financial interests are not promoted in any of its activities and investments. 

We welcome that the Council does not have any direct energy contracts with Russian firms and we will ensure this remains the case. 

This Council therefore further resolves to:

1. Immediately request a report from the Greater Manchester Pensions Authority 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. 

• Write to the Home Office to give Bury’s support to stricter sanctions on the Russian regime – and in particular to extend sanctions against Russian oligarchs with ties to Putin’s regime to fully block their access to financial operations in the UK. 

This Council also resolves to ask all Group Leaders sign a joint letter to the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary calling on the UK Government to;

1. Offer sanctuary to Ukrainian people in their hour of need and ensure there is a swift and efficient visa application process.

• End our dependence on Russian energy and fast-track the transition to renewable energy sources.
  
• Impose the severest economic, financial, technical and cultural sanctions on the Russian state. 

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