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 4^th March 2009.

            Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 4^th March 2009, be confirmed as a correct record.

Matters Arising

The Geminid Organisation – The Network considered a letter sent by David Martin regarding issues surrounding applications for funding to support twinning activities and outlining areas where applications were likely to fail.

Reports from the Town Twinning Associations and Links – Councillor Kevin Small requested that a report outlining the Council’s Civic Twinning activities should also be submitted to the Network at each meeting. 

European Funding – Councillor Peter Mallinson proposed that a working group be set up to look at applying for European funding on behalf of the Network and advised that a project would need to be identified.  David Martin added that it does take a long time to apply for European funding and that the working group would need to start work at least one year in advance of the commencement of any project.  It was agreed that a sub-group, comprising Councillor Mallinson, David Martin and Bruce Clarke, would meet to discuss the way forward.

2012 Olympics – Andy Lane asked if any responses had been received regarding the note sent out to all members of the Network asking to support proposals to market Swindon as a suitable venue for visitors to stay for the 2012 Olympics.  As only one response had been received, it was agreed not to pursue this initiative.

Certain items are expected to include the consideration of exempt information and the Network is, therefore, recommended to resolve "That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded during the discussion of the matters referred to in the items listed below, on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in the respective paragraph of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information".

            Resolved - That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded during the discussion of the matters referred in Agenda Item 7 on the grounds that it would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act, and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information concerned (Minute 20 refers.)

            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 reported that the visitors from Salzgitter were returning to Germany today and that they had had a very busy and enjoyable week whilst they had been here, although they had commented on how run down Swindon Centre had become since their last visit.  Councillor Mallinson added that there were very few younger people involved with the association and that they needed to find ways to encourage young people to get involved in twinning and link activities.  It was agreed that the working group set up to look at applying for European funding would consider this issue. 

The Chair also stated that she would be meeting with an officer from the Youth Service in the near future and would invite them to attend the Town Twinning meetings.

Swindon Ocotal Link (SOL)

Bruce Clarke commented that there were a lot of success stories being delivered through the Network and that more should be done to celebrate these successes.   He reported on the following activities for SOL:-

Ø      SOL support 3 projects in Ocotal and therefore has to raise £5K each year.  They are continually looking for new people to get involved with this link.

Ø      There continue to be 2 to 3 new people visiting Ocotal each year who offer to work voluntarily over there and who fund their own expenses.

Ø      SOL’s profile has dipped locally and they need to find new ways of attracting people to become members of SOL.

Ø      A 14 day discovery tour of Nicaragua and Ocotal would take place from 15^th – 30^th October and would coincide with a two week celebration of Ocotal’s 200^th anniversary.

Wroughton – St Germain les Corbeil Twinning Association

Carole Ide reported that the group had recently visited St Germain les Corbeil to celebrate 21 years of twinning and that the trip had included four teenagers.  They would be holding a fundraising BBQ on Saturday 13^th June to which other twinning organisations would be welcome to attend.

Highworth – Pontorson Twinning Association

Derrick Gustaffson reported that a visit had taken place recently to Pontorson that included about 80 people with different interest groups such as the choral society participating in the trip.  Visitors from Wassenberg were also in Pontorson at the same time and the Highworth Town Council were now fully supportive of an official link between Highworth and Wassenberg.  He also advised that it would be the 20^th anniversary of the twinning association next year.  They were trying to encourage younger people to participate in the Twinning Association and it was hoped that the Vice-Chair, who was a teacher, would be able to generate some interest amongst younger people.

Chattanooga Friendship Link

Andy Lane reported that there had not been any progress with this link due to the recession.

Potential Friendship  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

            Members of the Town Twinning Network were asked to consider an application for a grant that had been received from the Wroughton Twinning Association for £200 to assist with the costs of an exchange visit to St. Germaine-les-Corbeil, France that took place from 1^st – 4^th May 2009.

            Resolved – That the Town Twinning Network recommends to the Director of Law and Democratic Services that a grant of £200 be approved for the Wroughton Twinning Association.