Content

10.1

The Executive Director City Futures submitted a
report containing the draft Sheffield International Strategy
2025-28 for consideration and
approval.
 
The Strategy relates to Phase 3 of the work
commissioned by Strategy & Resources Policy
Committee.  A review of our
international relationships was undertaken.  This led to the development and approval of a
Partner City Policy, and following a period of focussed work in the
international arena, the third strand of this commission has seen
the development of a longer-term
Strategy.
 
The Strategy sets out how Sheffield City Council
will engage internationally to support economic growth, civic
partnerships, and global collaboration. 
It has been developed through consultation and cross-departmental
input.

 

 

10.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and
Resources Policy Committee:-

 

 

 

(a) approves the
draft Sheffield International Strategy 2025-28, attached to this
report at Appendix 1; and

 

 

 

(b) notes that
progress on delivery of the Strategy will be reported to the
Committee as part of the annual International
Update.

 

 

10.3

Reasons for Decision

 

 

10.3.1

The Strategy
relates to Phase 3 of work commissioned by Strategy & Resources
Policy Committee.  A review of our
international relationships was undertaken.  This led to the development and approval of a
Partner City Policy, and following a period of focussed work in the
international arena, the third strand of this commission was the
development of a longer-term (3-year) Sheffield International
Strategy, which is now being considered.

 

 

10.3.2

Whilst it is largely economically driven, the Strategy covers
a number of different strands including
Trade & Investment, and Civic and Community Partnerships -
themes which cut across the Council.

 

 

10.3.3

The Strategy aims to support the delivery of objectives (those
with a specific international aspect) in key strategies and plans
including the Council Plan 2024-28; the Growth Plan 2025-35; City
Goals; Culture Strategy for 2035 and the Strategic Major Events
Plan.

 

 

10.3.4

Members are recommended to approve the International Strategy as
a mechanism to address a current gap within the Council’s
procedures, which will also seek to support the international
objectives of key partner organisations.

 

 

10.4

Alternatives Considered and
Rejected

 

 

10.4.1

Alternative Option: Do Nothing -
Sheffield has not had a dedicated International Strategy for
many years.  As a
consequence, international activities have often been
opportunistic or reactive, with little regard to future resourcing
requirements or potential benefits and outcomes for the
city.
 
This is evidenced with us having relationships with in excess of 25 international locations around
the world, through Twinning, Sister City and other
arrangements.  Some of these links there
are obvious synergies between locations, whilst others are less
apparent.
 
A
Partner City Policy was agreed by Strategy & Resources Policy
Committee in November 2023.  The
development of a dedicated International Strategy was the next part
of the process.
 
We could choose not to adopt an International Strategy, however,
if this were the case, then we would be lacking a framework for our
international activities and without a clear rationale for the
Council to take decisions linked to the city’s positioning on
the global stage and our international aspirations.  Furthermore, we would be without a stated
mechanism to support our key partner organisations and city anchors
in achieving their stated objectives within the international
sphere.