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 27^th February 2007.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 27^th February 2007, be confirmed as a correct record.

Members of the Network considered (a) a report of the Director of Law and Democratic Services, and (b) the views put forward by individual members regarding the possible change of title for the Town Twinning Network and proposed amendments to the constitution.

            View given by members present included:-

Brian Mattock – possible suggestion for a change of name was Swindon Twinning and Friendship Forum but would prefer that no changes were made to the name or to the constitution.

Councillor Pajak – felt that the term “network” was dated and that this was a good opportunity to review the group and ensure that all groups were included within its remit.  He also felt that the existence of the group should be publicised more widely.

Dr David Worsnip – prefers the term “forum” and agrees that better publicity should be undertaken to ensure that more members of the public attend.

John Mayell – agrees with the amended constitution as submitted by Bruce Clarke as it widened the group out to include all international links within the Borough.

Mide Ide – although the current constitution specifically mentions Salzgitter and Ocotal, this was not felt to be a problem as all groups have always been welcome to attend the meetings.  He was happy with the term “network”.

Councillor Dart – likes the idea of a network and feels that the constitution is currently very open.  Agrees that further publicity needs to be undertaken and suggested that representatives from the Swindon Youth Council and the Interim Swindon Chamber of Commerce be asked to attend future meetings.  Each individual group undertakes its own fundraising and it was therefore not appropriate for this network to participate in fundraising activities.

In their absence, the Chair reported that the views of Andy Lane, Councillor Ray Fisher and Councillor Peter Mallinson were to not make any changes to the name or the constitution of the Network. 

Resolved – That (1) the name “Town Twinning Network” should not be changed; (2) subject to the amendment of the mission statement as submitted by Dr David Worsnip, no further changes should be made to the constitution of the Town Twinning Network; (3) invitations should be sent seeking representatives from the Swindon Youth Council and the Interim Swindon Chamber of Commerce to attend the Town Twinning Network meetings; (4) the Chair write to the Chief Executive requesting that officer support be provided by the Council to support the activities of the Town Twinning Network; (5) a survey of other similar local authorities be undertaken to explore their approach to Town Twinning; and (6) that the local schools in Swindon be contacted to find out which ones have twins or links with schools in other countries.

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

Highworth-Pontorson Twinning Association

Dr Worsnip reported on the very successful and enjoyable trip to Pontorson that had taken place at the end of May to celebrate Europe Day.  Events had included a Saturday evening extravaganza and presentations by representatives from Pontorson, Wassenburg and Highworth on projects supported by the European Commission.  The presentation from Pontorson focussed upon the work being undertaken on the River Couesnon and from Wassenberg on the River Rur.  Dr David Worsnip’s presentation covered the work undertaken by the Research Council in Swindon on advising how Commission Funds for research should be dispersed.

Swindon Salzgitter Twinning Association

Brian Mattock reported on the recent visit to Swindon by a group from Salzgitter.  Events had included planting a tree in remembrance of Reg Clarke, visits to the Arkells brewery, SS Great Britain, Clifton Suspension Bridge, Cheddar, Wells, Castle Combe, Lacock, Coventry Cathedral and Stratford Upon Avon.  A farewell dinner had been held at North Star College and Brian advised that the visit had been very successful and that there had been a number of new faces within the group.

Torun and Swindon Twinning Enterprise

Councillor Stan Pajak circulated a list of recent activities, that included:

Ø      Two photographers from Swindon were taking part in a photographic art project for a week with Torun’s twins.  The photos produced would be displayed in each of the twin cities.

Ø      Swindon and Torun to appear in a Panorama programme regarding the different approaches of their young people to work.

Ø      Poetry/arts competition to be undertaken.

Ø      Celebration of Polish day at the Polish Club.

Ø      Future trip to Torun is being organised for October.

Ø      Stan has written to the Polish team regarding using Swindon as a base for the 2012 Olympics and is currently waiting for a response.

Swindon Ocotal Link (SOL)

John Mayell reported that SOL had been busy raising funds to replenish the project account.  A successful quiz night had been held during the first week of June that had raised over £1000.  SOL were currently supporting a young person from the group on a gap year trip and they were planning to bring two young dancers from Ocotal to Swindon for the Youth Festival.

Lechlade Twinning Association

Dr Michael Colley reported that a twinning flag had been specially made and was currently flying at the Lloyds Bank building in Lechlade.  A group would be coming over during the August Bank Holiday weekend and a trip had been organised to Highgrove Gardens.  Two young people were also visiting Lechlade during August and had secured employment at the Trout Inn.  A Bubbles and Berries evening has been arranged on the 6^th July and everyone was welcome to attend.  It was hoped that a group from Lechlade would be visiting La Chappelle des Fougeretz in September.  A tripartite visit with their German twin  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

The next meeting of the Town Twinning Network would be held on Wednesday 19^th September at 6pm.