To consider Notices of Motion.

Motion – Building a Strategic Partnership between Herefordshire and Zhytomyr Oblast, Ukraine

Councillor O’Driscoll proposed and introduced the motion.

Councillor Simmons seconded the motion.

Council debated the motion.

The motion was put to the vote and the motion was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED – that:

Council notes that:

1.         Herefordshire has demonstrated its solidarity with the people of Ukraine since 2022 through the generosity of residents, voluntary organisations, businesses and public bodies.

2.         Ross-on-Wye has signed a Friendship Agreement with the City of Ovruch in Zhytomyr Oblast, Hereford City Council has signed a Friendship Agreement with the City of Zhytomyr and several other Herefordshire communities are exploring similar partnerships. 

3.         A growing number of English county and unitary authorities have entered into Memoranda of Understanding with Ukrainian regions to foster long-term cooperation in areas including local government, education, culture, economic development, agriculture, healthcare and post-war reconstruction.

4.         Zhytomyr Oblast is a natural regional partner for Herefordshire, reflecting shared strengths in rural communities, agriculture, environmental stewardship, heritage, tourism and community resilience.

5.         HVOSS, through the Herefordshire Community Network for Ukraine, working in partnership with Herefordshire Council and many voluntary and statutory organisations, has an established and effective county-wide network supporting Ukrainian guests and developing friendship links between communities.

Council believes that:

1.         Local government has an important role in fostering international friendship, democratic cooperation and mutual understanding.

2.         A county-level Memorandum of Understanding would complement existing town and city friendship agreements by providing a strategic framework for wider collaboration.

3.         Such a partnership should deliver mutual benefit through knowledge sharing, cultural exchange, educational links, economic cooperation and support for long-term recovery.

4.         HVOSS is well placed to act as the Council's principal voluntary sector delivery partner, coordinating engagement with communities and partner organisations across Herefordshire, having well-established relationships in Ukraine through its staff team, who are themselves guests here from Ukraine and already making introductions and facilitating relationship-building.

Council resolves to request that the Executive:

1.         Open discussions with the leadership of Zhytomyr Oblast with a view to developing a Memorandum of Understanding between Herefordshire Council and Zhytomyr Oblast based upon friendship, cooperation, mutual benefit and long-term partnership.

2.         Recognise HVOSS, through the Herefordshire Community Network for Ukraine, as the Council's principal voluntary sector delivery partner in supporting the development of the partnership and coordinating engagement with communities, schools, businesses, cultural organisations, higher education, parish and town councils and the voluntary sector across Herefordshire.

3.         Allocate sufficient officer capacity and appropriate financial resources to facilitate the development and implementation of the partnership, including stakeholder engagement, translation and interpretation, exchange visits, partnership development and the pursuit of external funding opportunities.

4.         Work with Hereford City Council, Ross-on-Wye Town Council and other town and parish councils developing links with communities in Zhytomyr Oblast to create a coherent county-wide partnership that complements existing Friendship Agreements and encourages further civic, educational, cultural and economic cooperation.

5.         Produce a report within six months setting out the proposed Memorandum of Understanding, implementation plan, governance arrangements, resource requirements, opportunities for external funding and recommendations for the long-term development of the Herefordshire-Zhytomyr Partnership.

Motion – Securing Food Resilience in Herefordshire

Councillor Tully proposed and introduced the motion.

Councillor Taylor seconded the motion.

Council debated the motion.

The motion was put to the vote and the motion was carried by a simple majority.

RESOLVED – that:

Herefordshire is rooted in food production.  The county has shown real joined-up, cross-party, cross-sector working and sits at the forefront of agroecological change. But farmers are under massive pressure - they are disproportionately more likely to be severely depressed than in other trades and facing financial hardship with 83,000 farming households in the UK estimated to be experiencing absolute poverty. This is still, to a great extent, hidden in our rural setting, though in our county food bank use has not diminished, with many recipients being working families. The national picture of food production is grim, with extreme weather disrupting growing conditions and the added risk of external supply chains for fuel and farm supplies being disrupted by global events. Herefordshire has the assets and the networks to respond positively to ensure a more secure food system and a county that all ages can make home.

This Council therefore resolves to request that the Executive:

1. Support Sustainable Food and Farming: to secure food production and access for all in Herefordshire. 

2. Deliver on the carried forward commitment made in the 25/26 delivery plan for a food resilience strategy drawing on the county's existing assets including the Rural Hub, the Food Alliance, and the Climate Adaptation Plan - and support a Food Partnership that has the institutional weight to enact that strategy.

3. Write to Government: Publicly support national measures needed to support both young and old to enter -  and stay in - UK farming. Including writing to the Minister for Food Security describing how the ‘Basic Income for Farmers’ programme would do this here in Herefordshire and proposing our county as a candidate area.