West Sussex County Council rules out further action on pension fund investments

West Sussex County Council has decided that no further action is needed following a review of its pension fund investments, after considering a petition calling for greater divestment.

The decision was taken at a council meeting on December 12 after a petition signed by more than 3,200 people urged the authority to divest more than £219 million from ten companies campaigners said were linked to Israel’s actions against Palestinians. Petitioners argued that while the pension fund does not invest in weapons manufacturers, it holds shares in companies providing infrastructure, services, or financial support connected to the conflict.

Councillors were presented with three propositions, including calls to further consider the petition and consult stakeholders, but only a motion stating that no further action was required was put to a vote. That motion was approved by 32 votes to 20, with ten abstentions.

A council briefing note stated that the fund does not include companies identified by the UN as supporting Israeli settlements and that no public evidence links its investments to weapons manufacturing related to the Israel-Gaza war.