Decision - Response to notice of motion from October Council

The report provides an update to Cabinet following the Notice of Motion to Full Council in October 2025, which asked for a review of all Council exposure to companies operating in the occupied territories.

1) Cabinet notes the information set out in section 3 of this report, setting out exposure of ESPF, the Councils treasury investments, and our freehold landholdings to 'involved companies'. 'Involved companies' refers to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) list that has been compiled of companies that operate in illegal settlements in the West Bank. 2) Cabinet agrees that, as part of the implementation of Local Government Reorganisation in Sussex, we will recommend that Brighton and Hove City Council has more representation on governance and oversight arrangements for the East Sussex Pension Fund or any replacement Fund.

The report updates Cabinet on the exposure of the East Sussex Pension Fund, the Council's treasury investments and its freehold landholdings to companies listed by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights as operating in illegal settlements in the West Bank. The Council has no treasury or property exposure to those companies, while the East Sussex Pension Fund has approximately £29.8 million invested in them, mainly through several international companies. Cabinet also considered future pension fund pooling and recommended seeking greater Brighton and Hove representation in governance arrangements.