Agenda and minutes

Resolved – That Councillor Doreen Dart be Chair of the Town Twinning Network until December 2011.

(Councillor Dart took the Chair)

Resolved – That Andy Lane be Vice-Chair of the Town Twinning Network until December 2010.

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 29^th September 2010.

Resolved – That, subject to the inclusion of Nazma Ramruttun in the apologies list, the minutes of the meeting held on 29 September 2010 be confirmed as a correct record.

Matters Arising

Minute 21 (c) review of constitution – following comments from members of the network, the membership section of the constitution was amended and is included as an appendix to these minutes.  Members also requested that the Deputy Chief Executive and Group Director Environment and Leisure, or a representative, should be invited to attend the network meetings as they had overall responsibility for Economic Development within their Directorate.

Minute 21 (e) International Youth Festival in Swindon – David Martin submitted information that he was still waiting for a response from Salzgitter and a discussion with Swindon Youth staff who were waiting on decisions concerning their future.  He would circulate information to members as soon as he had any details.

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

Councillor Kevin Small reported that he was in the process of trying to arrange an exchange between football referees in Salzgitter and those in Swindon either at the end of this season or at the start of next season. 

The Chair added that a letter had been sent out to all those people who had been involved with the Adult Twinning Group to encourage their involvement in the group otherwise it could disappear.  Following this, a committee meeting was held at which John Hamilton become President and a new Chair appointed to the Salzgitter Adult Twinning Group.  A small working group would be making the arrangements for the next visit from Salzgitter and would present their ideas to the Committee.  Councillor Small welcomed the progress made by the group but felt that the letter should have been sent out to a wider audience in order to encourage new people, and possibly young people, to get involved with the group.  It was agreed that a letter be sent to Robert Pean outlining the Network’s suggestion that contact be made with a wider audience, including local media, and that the local schools also be encouraged to participate.

SwindonOcotal Link (SOL)

John Mayell reported that the Nicaraguan Ambassador would be visiting Swindon from London on 7^th December and would be meeting with the Mayor and attending their monthly meeting.

Swindon Torun Link

Stephen Taylor (Director of Law and Democratic Services) reported that a motion had been submitted to and agreed by Council that Torun would be added to the signposts at the entrance to Swindon as a Friendship Link when they were to be replaced.

Highworth Twinning Association

Derrick Gustafson reported that 60 people had visited Pontorson in October, including the Choral Society.  As a result of this visit a number of people had become involved with the Twinning group. There would be another visit to Pontorson during the first week of June.

A successful quiz evening had taken place to which about 80 people attended.

A visit from Pontorson to Highworth was arranged for May and visitors from Wassenberg would be visiting Highworth in August.

Derrick reported that he would not be standing for re-election and that a new committee had been elected at the AGM.

NovaHreod School

Tom Wilkes submitted information to the Network outlining a very successful visit by a team from Nova to Harold Cressy in October.  One highlight of the trip was a tour of Robben Island by Sedick Isaacs (imprisoned with Mandela) and  gift of his book “Surviving in the Apartheid Prison” to each of the team.  They plan to have two teachers from Harold Cressy visiting Swindon during the last two weeks of January 2011.

Potential Link with Mauritius

Nazma Ramruttun  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 16^th March 2011.

The next meeting would be held on Wednesday 16^th March 2011.