Agenda item

Swindon Salzgitter Twinning Association

            Reg Clarke reported that, as part of the 30^th Anniversary this year, a delegation from Swindon would be visiting Salzgitter from 8^th – 11^th April and that a group from Salzgitter would be visiting Swindon from 1^st – 8^th June.  A detailed programme of events had been organised for these visits. 

            Peter Mallinson informed the Network that he had been to the German Embassy to attend a one day seminar on funding.  Two types of funding were available:

Ø     European Commission Grant – this requires matching funding and is a very complex process making it less appropriate for smaller organisations.

Ø     Twinning Grant – this is particularly for exchange visits with a particular theme and is a very simple process.

There is a booklet available.  Contact Daryl Jones for more information.

Swindon Ocotal Link (SOL)

            Bruce Clarke circulated the minutes of the last meeting of the Swindon Ocotal Link and highlighted a number of issues:

Ø     Central America Week – 9^th – 16^th April.  There will be a stand in the Brunel Centre on 9^th April and tickets are on sale at the Information Centre.

Ø     Finance – SOL is a membership organisation and they now have 5 new members.  Central America Week will also be used to try and increase membership of SOL.

Ø     Teacher Exchange Project – this will take place next February 2006 and funding is currently being investigated for this to take place.

Bruce Clarke agreed to bring a copy of the Service Level Agreement (SLA) between SOL and Swindon Borough Council to the next meeting of the Network.

            The Chair asked that some thought be given to putting on a public event for all Swindon Twins and Links and added that Swindon Borough Council could possibly assist with funding for this event.  He asked that representatives from the Twin Towns and Links get together outside of this meeting and develop some plans for this event.

Highworth – Pontorson Twinning Association

            Dr Worsnip reported that an application had been submitted to the European Commission, under the theme of Highworth’s Railway legacy, in relation to 25 visitors from Pontorson visiting Highworth.  Unfortunately, the application had been unsuccessful due to the high number of applicants.  Dr Worsnip confirmed that the information was available on the European Commission’s website but that there was a lot of competition for funding and that there was no guarantee that applications would be successful.

La Garenne Link

            Phil Eagle reported that a programme was currently being put together for a visit of 10-12 people on 21^st  – 24^th April.  He added that it was hoped to put this Link on a more formal basis during this visit.  The Schools in Haydon Wick had already linked with schools in La Garenne and art work had been produced which had been on display in the North Swindon Library.

Potential Link with Chattanooga (USA)

            Andy Lane attended the Network meeting to propose a potential link between Chattanooga, Tennessee and Swindon.  He reported that there were a number of similarities between the two Towns:

Ø     The railways

Ø     Redevelopment of the Town Centres

Ø     Similar Populations

Ø     A number of US Companies are moving into Swindon

Ø     Tourist opportunities

Ø     US love the UK

He confirmed that the Chamber of Commerce were in full support of this opportunity and Daryl Jones confirmed that, in order to take this proposal forward, an official report with Member backing needs to be taken to the Cabinet.  Daryl will prepare a draft report for consideration at the next Town Twinning Network meeting.