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 23^rd March 2011.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 23 March 2011, be confirmed as a correct record.

Matters Arising

The Director of Law and Democratic Services confirmed that he had approved the grant of £1000 for the Swindon Salzgitter Twinning Association.

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 reports from the Town Twinning Associations and Links:-

Swindon Salzgitter Twinning Association

Roger Gower confirmed that the grant of £1000 for the Salzgitter visit had been received and he thanked all those involved for their support in securing this grant.  He would provide a report and photographs for the next Town Twinning Network meeting.

Arrangements for the visit were now being finalised and events booked where appropriate.  Eight people would be visiting Swindon from Salzgitter.  Unfortunately, it had not been possible to arrange a formal visit to the Houses of Parliament but Swindon MP’s researchers had agreed to take some of the German guests around and hopefully, Justin Tomlinson would be able to take 4 – 6 of the English people around.

Bruce Clarke would interview members of the German and English twinners after the reception in the Mayor’s office on 16^th June for an item on the Community Services radio.

Following a query at the last meeting, Roger confirmed that there were no insurance restrictions for non-members wishing to join events.  The Association had third party liability insurance but anyone travelling to German would be expected to arrange their own travel insurance.  However, one of the principles of the Association was that by visiting Salzgitter, Swindonians were agreeing to host visitors from Salzgitter in their homes so non-members could normally only travel with the Association in exceptional circumstances.  Spaces were still available for the trip to London at a cost of £10 per person and for the Farewell Meal at a cost of £5 per person.

Roger added that there had been recent announcements that the Government, through the British Council, was encouraging British schools to form twinning links with foreign schools.

Private visit by the Mayor of Salzgitter and the veteran’s football team

Councillor Kevin Small submitted the following information as he was unable to attend the meeting:-

The Mayor of Salzgitter was in Swindon on a private visit from 2^nd to 5^th June along with a veteran’s football team to take part in a veteran’s match on Saturday.  The Mayor would officially attend the Lyneham Freedom of the Borough parade on Friday.  The group would also visit Swindon greyhound stadium, followed by a meal in a town centre venue.

Saturday, they would visit STEAM in the morning, then play Shrivenham Vets in the afternoon (venue to be confirmed) followed by a meal at the Toby Carvery at Abbey Meads and then a skittles match at Even Swindon Club starting at 8.30pm.

On Sunday, they leave early for a visit to Windsor Castle on their way back to Gatwick Airport.

SwindonOcotal Link (SOL)

Bruce Clarke reported that one of the aims of SOL was to raise £5K each year and that a duck race had been arranged in Castle Eaton as part  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

The next meeting of the Town Twinning Network would be held on Wednesday 21^st September at 6pm.