Decision details

13.1

The Executive Director City Futures submitted a report stating that, in February 2024, Strategy & Resources Policy Committee considered an International Update Report covering the Council’s known international relationships and making recommendations in respect of them.  As part of this consideration, the Committee agreed that the City Council enter into a Friendship Agreement with the City of Nablus, situated on the West Bank in Palestine.

This report outlines subsequent steps taken to implement the decision and seeks approval of draft wording for the proposed Friendship Agreement between the two cities.

13.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-

(a) approves the draft wording for a Friendship Agreement with Nablus, attached to this report as an Appendix and agrees that a signing ceremony (either virtual or in-person) be arranged; and

(b) notes the further steps to develop the relationship between the cities of Sheffield and Nablus, as described in the report.

13.3

Reasons for Decision

13.3.1

Alternative Option 1:

Do not enter into a Friendship Agreement with Nablus

The alternative option would be not to proceed to enter into a Friendship Agreement with Nablus.  Given the existing links with Nablus established through Sheffield community groups and the frequent public representations encouraging the Council to proceed to link with Nablus, it is felt that this would not be desirable.

13.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

13.4.1

Entering into a Friendship Agreement with Nablus provides the mechanism to find out more about Nablus and to identify any synergies and potential areas of collaboration between our two cities.

Following an initial 12-month period, the Friendship Agreement would be subject to review.  If either party felt that there was no merit in continuing the relationship, then there would be scope to step away.

Sheffield City Council is supportive of the community links that have been established between groups in Sheffield and Nablus.  Agreeing to enter into a Friendship Agreement between the two cities, presents the opportunity to raise awareness of these activities within the public domain.