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 11^th June 2008.

Resolved – That, subject to the amendment to Minute No. 16 (Highworth-Pontorson Twinning Association), bullet point 6 to read “a visit to Pontorson was being planned for May 2009”, the minutes of the meeting held on 11^th June 2008, be confirmed as a correct record.

The Chair, on behalf of the Forum, offered condolences on the recent death of Dr David Worsnip from the Highworth-Pontorson Twinning Association. 

Members of the Network are asked to consider the development of a potential Friendship Link between Swindon Borough Council and the Municipality of Beau Bassin-Rose Hill, Mauritius.

Nazma Ramruttun attended the meeting to discuss the possibility of developing a friendship link between Swindon and Mauritius.  She explained that she had visited Mauritius during June 2008 and had met with the Mayor of Mauritius who was keen to develop links with Swindon.  He would be visiting London for four days in October and was keen to meet with the Mayor of Swindon during this visit.  It was agreed that the Chair of the Town Twinning Network would also attend this meeting, along with Nazma and would report back to the next meeting.

            Resolved – (1) That a report be brought to the next Town Twinning meeting outlining how a potential friendship link between Swindon and Mauritius could be developed.

            (2) That Nazma Ramruttun be thanked for attending the meeting.

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:

Swindon Salzgitter Twinning Association

Councillor Peter Mallinson informed the Network that exchange visits were organised every year and a group from Salzgitter were due to visit Swindon in May/June 2009.  There had been one social event since the group had returned from visiting Salzgitter.

Swindon Ocotal Link

Mary Creffield reported that there had been a very successful visit to Swindon from the prospective Mayor of Ocotal.  She also circulated a copy of the SOL Annual Chairman’s Report from September 2007 – 2008.  There will be a quiz held on 10^th October at Even Swindon Community Centre from 7.30pm – 11pm.

A copy of the schedule for the visit and the Annual Chairman’s Report is attached to these minutes.

Torun and Swindon Twinning Enterprise (TASTE)

Marek Sarnowski (Chairman of TASTE) circulated a list of recent activities for TASTE.  They were currently looking for a venue for a photography exhibition and the Arts Centre and Steam were suggested as possibilities.  A group would be visiting Torun in July/August 2009 for the Polish Olympics and spaces were still available for supporters as well as participants. 

Councillor Mallinson added that he had put his name down for a possible trip to Torun but had not yet heard anything.  Marek confirmed that the person responsible had been unable to organise a trip in time but that it was still intended that this would be arranged in the future.

A harvest dinner and dance would take place at the Polish Club this Saturday starting at 8pm.  Tickets were £8.

Highworth-Pontorson Twinning Association

Eric Craigie reported on the following activities:

Ø      Highworth Festival at which there was a festival market manned by Pontorsonnais.  They returned to Pontorson on the Monday morning.

Ø      Currently planning a visit to Pontorson for May 2009.

Ø      Plans to visit Pontorson to decorate the Church – this happens every year following the Highworth Festival.

Ø      Pontorson is twinned with Wassenberg but there is currently no official twinning between Highworth and Wassenberg – a separate committee would need to be established for this.

Chattanooga Friendship Link

Andy Lane was currently in discussions with two schools in Swindon regarding a possible exchange with schools in Chattanooga.  He added that his colleagues in Chattanooga had suggested that Swindon could be a suitable venue for athletes and visitors to the 2012 Olympics and that Andy was planning to link in with local hotels to offer promotional packages.  It was suggested that all groups could work together on this project with the help of the Chamber of Commerce.

Lechlade Twinning Association

Dr Colley reported that there had been a visit to La Chappelle over the August Bank Holiday and 5 people were coming over to participate in the Swindon half marathon.

They were also organising a lunch to be held on 15^th March 2009 followed by a viewing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

The Chair confirmed that the remaining Town Twinning budget for 2008/09 was £5252.38.  It was suggested that some of this money could be used to pump prime a project related to the 2012 Olympics.  It was agreed that “Preparation for the Olympics” would be an agenda item for the next Town Twinning meeting and Andy Lane agreed to put some ideas down on paper for this meeting.