SDC statement on the invasion of Ukraine
The illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine has left many in the Stroud district deeply upset and angry and this feeling is shared by the council’s leadership. Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine, the local Ukrainian community, and all those who have been affected.
Stroud District Council ran a procurement exercise in 2019 to determine the best value for its energy supply. As a result of this exercise the gas supply contract was awarded for three years to Gazprom Energy. The contract is ending this year, but we are exploring whether there are any possibilities of early termination and have agreed in any case not to renew the contract. It is right that we look to cut ties with Gazprom, and we call on other public sector bodies to do the same at the earliest possible moment.
If there is more we can do as a community, and as the district council, to support Ukraine, we shall certainly do so – we have facilitated the settlement of refugees before, and those fleeing war and persecution are always welcome here.
We are supporting the British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal and are looking into the best ways we can provide practical support to the Ukrainian community. Donations can be made to the Disasters Emergency Committee, and the UK Government will match pound-for-pound up to £20 million donated by the public to this appeal: https://www.dec.org.uk
Stroud District Council is led by a Co-operative Alliance of Labour, the Green Party, and the Liberal Democrats. The Labour Leader of the Council is Cllr Doina Cornell, the Green Deputy Leader is Cllr Catherine Braun, and the Liberal Democrat Group Leader is Cllr Ken Tucker.
