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 10^th June 2009.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 10^th June 2009, be confirmed as a correct record.

Certain items are expected to include the consideration of exempt information and the Town Twinning 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 to 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 26 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 there had been little activity since the last meeting of the Network but that work was currently being undertaken planning the next visit to Salzgitter.

Swindon Ocotal Link (SOL)

Bruce Clarke reported that there would be 5 people, including someone from Salzgitter, visiting Ocotal from 16^th October until 7^th November.  Ocotal would be celebrating 200 years as a city and there would be a celebration of twinning on 19^th October, including Bollywood dancing.  They were currently laying the foundations for a multi-national arrangement and a bid for funding would be submitted in June 2010.  Bruce added that they would be celebrating 25 years of twinning next year and that they were always seeking new members.

Swindon Torun Link

Mark Sarnowski reported on the following activities of this Link:

• In June, Mark, Councillor Stan Pajak and Peter Robinson visited Torun to take part in the half marathon.  They have issued an invite for people from Torun to participate in the Swindon half marathon and 6 people are coming over.  They will be staying in the Jury Hotel and a programme of activities will be put together for their visit. 
• The Polish Olympics will take place during August for 9 days – this takes place every two years.
• Torun will be bidding for the European City of Culture in 2016 and support was being sought from other Twins as there are other big cities also competing for this.
• There is a need for more involvement from people in Swindon and the Chair suggested that an article be put into the Swindon Advertiser asking for more interest from Swindon people.
• Links/Twins with Torun were invited each year to the photography project –people from Swindon have visited for the last 4/5 years.

Wroughton – St Germain les Corbeil Twinning Association

Mike Ide reported that a couple of social events had taken place recently, including a BBQ and a cheese tasting competition.  Preparations were taking place for the AGM, including finalising the accounts.  Mike added that St Germain les Corbeil would be celebrating 15 years of twinning with their German twin next year so it was unlikely that they would be visiting Wroughton.

Highworth-Pontorson Twinning Association

Derrick Gustafson reported that following the recent visit to Pontorson, a number of people from the Choir had decided to join the twinning association and that they would be pushing for more special interest groups to become involved in the future especially junior football, the silver band and anglers.

The annual quiz would take place in a couple of weeks.

May 14^th has been set to sign charter with Wassenberg and the following weekend will be the 20^th anniversary of twinning between Highworth and Pontorson.

Lechlade Twinning Association

Jane Sullivan reported that she was now the Chair of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

Members of the Town Twinning Network were asked to consider an application for a grant that had been received from the Torun and Swindon Twinning Enterprise (TASTE) for £650 as a contribution towards the costs of a photography exhibition to be held at Swindon Central Library during November and December 2009.

Resolved – (1) That, subject to a review and acceptance of the accounts by the Director of Law and Democratic Services, the Town Twinning Network recommends that a grant on £650 be approved for the Torun and Swindon Twinning Enterprise.

(2) That clarification is sought as to the original criteria that were set when this grant budget was established.

The next meeting of the Town Twinning Network will be held on Wednesday 2^nd December 2009 at 6pm.