Agenda and minutes

Members are reminded that at the start of the meeting they should declare any known interests in any matter to be considered, and also during the meeting if it becomes apparent that they have an interest in the matters being discussed.

The Chair reminded Members of the need to declare any known interests in any matters to be considered at the meeting.  No declarations were made.

See explanatory note below.  Please phone the Committee Officer whose name and number appears at the top of this agenda if you need further guidance.

            No public questions were received during the meeting.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 3^rd March 2010.

Resolved – That, subject to the following amendments, the minutes of the meeting held on 3^rd March 2010 be confirmed as a correct record:

(a)                          “Highworth – Pontorson Twinning Association” be changed to “Highworth Twinning Association”.

(b)                          Visitors from Pontorson would be coming to Highworth from 21^st – 24^th May to celebrate the 20^th anniversary and not the 21^st anniversary.

(c)                           “Salaley” in Somaliland should be spelt “Salahley”.

Matters Arising

Minute 11 – Andy Lane, David Martin and Bruce Clarke circulated notes from a meeting they had recently held to discuss the structure of Town Twinning.  A copy of these notes is attached to these minutes.  Bruce explained that, whilst it was helpful to have Civic recognition, the current structure did not allow for an entrepreneurial approach to town twinning and their proposal was to investigate the possibility of forming an arms length civic twinning/friendship organisation.

The following actions were agreed:-

(i)                 a further detailed report be submitted to the next Town Twinning Network meeting outlining how an arms length organisation could be formed and run.

(ii)               A report from the Director of Law and Democratic Services advising how the structure of the Town Twinning Network currently supports town twinning in the Borough of Swindon be submitted to the next meeting.

(iii)             The Head of Economic Development provide a report to the network, within six months, outlining the benefits of twinning and the development of International Links.

(iv)              That the Councillors on the Town Twinning Network meet with the Director of Law and Democratic Services prior to him producing his report.

Minute 12 – Potential link with Salahley in Somaliland.  Members of the Town Twinning Network expressed their support towards the development of this group and looked forward to receiving further reports outlining the group’s progress towards the establishment of a friendship agreement with Swindon.

Minute 12 – Disneyland.  It was agreed that the Chair would write to Bill Cotton (Head of Economic Development) requesting that he attends the next meeting of the Town Twinning Network meeting in September.

The Network considered (a) a report of the Director of Law and Democratic Services listing the Town Twinning Associations and Links in and around Swindon and (b) the following verbal reports from the Town Twinning Associations and Links:

Swindon Salzgitter Twinning Association

The Chair advised that a group of about 6 people would be visiting Salzgitter in the near future.

Swindon Ocotal Link

Bruce Clarke advised that the 20^th anniversary of twinning between Swindon and Ocotal was coming up and he submitted an application form for a grant of £300 to assist with costs associated with activities relating to the 20^th anniversary.

Resolved – That the Town Twinning Network recommends to the Director of Law and Democratic Services that a grant of £300 be approved for the Swindon Ocotal Link to assist with costs towards the 20^th anniversary celebrations.

Swindon Torun Link

A report was circulated outlining the trip to Torun that takes place from 5^th – 9^th June 2010.

Wroughton – St Germain les Corbeil Twinning Association

Mike Ide agreed to circulate details regarding public liability costs (this information is attached to the minutes)

Highworth Twinning Association

Derrick Gustafson advised that the AGM had recently been held and the group were now operating without a Chairman and a secretary.  Highworth had now officially twinned with Wassenberg and they had recently celebrated the 20^th anniversary of twinning with Pontorson.

Chattanooga

The Chair reported that Andy Lane was still very keen to develop this link but that there had been slow progress on the business side.

Potential link with Beau Bassin/Rose Hill in Mauritius

Nazma Ramruttun reported that she had visited in April and had met with the ex Mayor and ex Chief Executive who had accepted a letter of friendship from the Chair of the Town Twinning Network.  Successful links were being forged between the two schools and they were keen to develop a website with the possibility of exchange visits taking place following exams.

Geminid

David Martin reported that he was putting together an application to fund exchanges between the over 24 year olds and that the Training Bridge programme was active with exchanges of apprentices who were 18 – 24 years of age.  He had also met with the new Culture Manager and was keen to work towards putting in a bid for a cultural exchange.