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Full Council - Tuesday, 23rd April, 2024 2.00 pm

April 23, 2024 View on council website  Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)
AI Generated

Summary

The council meeting addressed several key issues, including the plight of Ukrainian people, council property investments, and the medium-term financial strategy. The meeting also featured public questions and the annual reports from various committees.

  1. Plight of Ukrainian People: The council passed a motion to support Ukrainian refugees and condemn the invasion by Russia. The motion was widely supported, reflecting solidarity with Ukraine. This decision underscores the council's commitment to international issues and humanitarian support.

  2. Council Property Investments: A motion was passed to end investment in Elbit Systems due to its involvement in arms manufacturing. The discussion was contentious, with concerns about legal and financial implications of evicting Elbit from council-owned property. This decision highlights ethical investment considerations and the council's stance on international conflicts.

  3. Medium-Term Financial Strategy: The council discussed the financial strategy amidst a challenging economic environment. There was significant concern about the potential for a Section 114 notice, which would indicate severe financial distress. The strategy includes measures to manage the budget shortfall but faced scrutiny over its feasibility and impact.

Interesting Event: The meeting had a high level of engagement on the issue of Elbit Systems, including a legal letter suggesting potential grounds for eviction, reflecting the council's grappling with ethical dimensions of its investments.

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