Purpose

In November 2023, Strategy & Resources
Policy Committee approved the proposal to establish a new Partner
City Policy.  In establishing the
Policy, it was proposed that an Annual Report be prepared each
Municipal Year for the purposes of detailing any activity linked to
the Council’s international relationships.  The first Annual Report, covering the 2023-24
Municipal Year, was presented to the Committee in February
2024.

Content

12.1

The Executive Director City Futures submitted a
report containing an Annual Report in respect of the
Council’s International Activity during the 2024-25 Municipal
Year. The Report also sets out planned activities in respect of the
development of an International
Strategy.
 
The year 2025 marks the 75th Anniversary of
Sheffield Twinning with the German city of Bochum – the
Report outlines activities planned to mark this anniversary
throughout the year.
 
The Appendix attached to the Report provides a
detailed overview of engagement with the City’s
‘Principal’ Partner Cities, together with information
in respect of any other approaches that may have been
received. 

 

 

12.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and
Resources Policy Committee:-

 

 

 

(a) notes the
contents of the International Update 2024-25 included at Appendix A
attached to this Report;
 
(b) notes the
development of a Sheffield International Strategy, with work taking
place over the period from February to June 2025;
 
(c) agrees to
receive a draft Sheffield International Strategy document at a
future Strategy & Resources Policy Committee meeting for
consideration and approval, aligned to the timescales outlined;
and
 
(d) notes the
development of proposals to mark the 75th Anniversary of the
Twinning with Bochum, during 2025.

 

 

12.3

Reasons for Decision

 

 

12.3.1

In agreeing a
Partner City Policy in November 2023, there was a commitment to
present an annual International Update each Municipal
Year.  This Report presents the
Council’s second annual International Update and provides a
transparent overview of Sheffield’s activities within the
international arena during 2024-25.

 

 

12.3.2

A
Sheffield International Strategy is required in order to provide a
framework for the Council’s international activities going
forward, ensuring alignment with the international aspirations of
some of the city’s anchor institutions, including the South
Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority; Sheffield Chamber of Commerce
and both universities.

 

 

12.3.3

A
Sheffield International Strategy will also seek to harness the
interest and continued appetite for our ‘Principal’
Partner Cities to engage with Sheffield, identifying key areas of
focus and specific outcomes to be
achieved.

 

 

12.3.4

Bochum is Sheffield’s oldest Twin City, the relationship
having been established in 1950.  75
years on, it is fitting that this significant milestone is
acknowledged and celebrated by both cities, and in seeking to
reaffirm the Twinning relationship, that parameters are agreed for
future years.

 

 

12.4

Alternatives Considered and
Rejected

 

 

12.4.1

‘Do Nothing’ - The alternative option is to retain
the status quo.  The development of an
International Strategy stems from the Strategy and Resources Policy
Committee acknowledging the need to formalise our international
activities, initially through agreeing a Partner City Policy in
November 2023.  This decision was an
acknowledgement that retaining the status quo was not
appropriate.