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.  Councillor Peter Mallinson made a personal and prejudicial declaration of interest in respect of minute no. 38 in his capacity as Chairman of the Swindon Salzgitter Twinning Association.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 6^th June 2006.

Resolved – That, subject to the amendment of minute 32 (Highworth-Pontorson Twinning Association) to read that 10 people, not 10 couples, had visited Wassenberg from Highworth, the minutes of the meeting held on 6^th June 2006, be confirmed as a correct record.

Minute 33

The Chair had received a response from the Leader of the Council regarding the Geminid Project following concerns expressed at the last Town Twinning Network meeting regarding the Council’s involvement with this project.  Councillor Ray Fisher explained that he, as Mayor at the time, had signed the appointment form as a witness to Reg Clarke’s signature.  He emphasised that those involved with the project were acting in a purely personal capacity and that they were not representing Swindon Borough Council.  The Chair also explained that the Geminid Project would not affect the Town Twinning Network.

A meeting was to be held between Reg Clarke, David Martin, the Chief Executive of Swindon Borough Council and the Leader of the Council to discuss the Geminid Project in more detail and Reg agreed to give a progress report at the next Town Twinning Network meeting.

            Resolved – (1) That a copy of the letter from the Leader of the Council would be sent to all members of the Town Twinning Network.

            (2) That Reg Clarke give a progress report on the Geminid Project to the next meeting of the Network.

            The Network considered a report of the Director of Law and Democratic Services regarding a review of the criteria for Town Twinning grants to include the payment of transport or travel costs only where it is of direct benefit to the people of Swindon.

            In addition to this amendment, members of the Network considered the wording in the first paragraph of the grants criteria information and suggested that it be amended to read:

 “The purpose of these non-recurring (one-off) grants is to promote Town Twinning.  This includes activities which will enhance existing twinning links and develop other international friendship links between the people of the Borough of Swindon and communities in other countries”.  

The Chair stated that the proposed amendments would have to be agreed by both the Council’s Grants Officer and the Director of Law and Democratic Services.

It was also agreed that copies of the criteria for Town Twinning grants would be sent to the members of the Town Twinning Network.

Resolved – (1) That the criteria for Town Twinning grants be amended to include the payment of transport or travel costs only where it is of direct benefit to the people of Swindon.

(2) That the proposed amendment to the wording in paragraph 1 of the criteria be sent to the Council’s Grants Officer and the Director of Law and Democratic Services for their approval.

Members of the Town Twinning Network were asked to consider an application for a grant that had been received from the Swindon Salzgitter Twinning Association for £1000 to assist with the costs of a visit of the Deutch-English Gesellschaft Salzgitter from May 26^th – June 2^nd 2007.  The purpose of this visit was for the Germans to visit venues associated with the G.W. Railway in Swindon, Bristol and Didcot.  In response to a query from Dr Worsnip, Reg Clarke confirmed that there would be members from Salzgitter on this trip who had not participated in previous exchanges with Swindon.

            Resolved – That the Town Twinning Network recommends that a grant of £1000 be approved for the Swindon Salzgitter Twinning Association.

(Councillor Peter Mallinson made a personal and prejudicial declaration of interest in respect of minute no. 38 in his capacity as Chairman of the Swindon Salzgitter Twinning Association and abstained from voting on this grant application)

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

Swindon Salzgitter Twinning Association

Reg Clarke informed members of the Network that preparations were underway for the Deutch-English Gesellschaft Salzgitter visit from May 26^th – June 2^nd 2007.

Swindon Ocotal Link

John Mayell updated the Network on the activities of SOL:

• A younger member of the group (Klara) was currently in Ocotal on a work placement at the hospital and was undertaking work towards the multi-lateral youth event.
• A very successful visit by the Mayor of Ocotal had taken place during July to celebrate the 15-year Link between Swindon and Ocotal.

Swindon Torun Link

Councillor Stan Pajak reported that the Torun and Swindon Twinning Enterprise (TASTE) had participated in the following events:

• 3 students from Torun Amnesty International visited Swindon and took part in the Old Town Festival and a pub quiz held at the Beehive Pub.
• A new development off Shrivenham Road has been named Torun Square.
• Two new speedway riders for Swindon Robins come from Torun.
• The Mayor of Swindon attended the harvest celebrations at the Polish Club.
• Trying to establish help contacts within the Council for the influx of Polish workers coming to Swindon.
• Hoping to organise another visit to Torun in the near future.
• Currently establishing a link between St Josephs School and a school in Torun.

Wroughton-St Germain les Corbeil Twinning Association

Gordon Barclay reported that a Barbeque and lunch had recently been organised and that these had been very successful events.  He added that the founder member and Chairman had recently died and that he would be sadly missed, as he had been very supportive to the group.

Highworth-Pontorson Twinning Association

A copy of the latest newsletter was distributed to members of the Network.  Events included:

• Wine tasting evening on 22^nd September
• Visit to Pontorson from 27 – 30 October
• Annual quiz night on 10^th November
• Visit of Pontorsonnais from 1 – 4 December
•  A successful Safari Lunch held on 30^th July.

 Dr Worsnip added that it was European Day in May 2007 and asked if it would be possible for Swindon to make more of this event.  The Chair suggested that he write to the Leader of the Council with this idea.

Chattanooga Friendship Agreement

Andy Lane confirmed that the Mayor of Chattanooga had not yet visited Swindon and that he would probably be here early next year.  In the meantime, Andy would try to initiate some activities, including maybe a trip to Chattanooga at the end of this year.

Potential Chinese Twin/Link

Brenda Robinson from Pooley, Dale and Co attended her first meeting of the Town Twinning Network.  She explained that, although there was a large group of Chinese people in Swindon there was no focal point for them to meet.  The South Regional Development Agency were also keen for Swindon to develop a link with one of the cities in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

            Councillor Peter Mallinson asked if it would be possible for someone to attend the Town Twinning Network meetings to talk about funding applications and how best to apply for funding.  He also felt that there should be an opportunity within the Network meetings for advice and assistance to be given to any group who is about to organise an event and would like to apply for some funding.  Janet Duffield would contact SAVAGE (Southern Association of Voluntary Action Groups for Europe), who offer free consultancy as part of their Membership, whether they would come along to a future meeting of the Town Twinning Network to talk about funding and funding applications.

            The Chair reported that Councillor David Glaholm would be visiting Perth in November and would be meeting up with the Lord Mayor of Perth to talk about a possible link with Swindon, in particular developing links between schools.