Issue - meetings

The Chair to provide a verbal update on potential new Town Twinning and lead a discussion with Members.

The Chair provided Members with an update on the work being done regarding a potential new Twinned Town for Hitchin.

The Chair provided Members with an update on the work being done regarding a potential new Twinned Town for Hitchin and advised Members:

·         Following the discussion of this at the previous meeting, the referral was discussed at Cabinet, at which it was highlighted the benefit of twinning across the district.

·         All groups were struggling for members and organisers and this only added further emphasis to the new twinning opportunity proposed for Hitchin.

·         Further meetings have been held and discussions are set to begin with the leaders of the village Ayensuako in Ghana.

·         There was a need to find out what further needs to be done to formalise the agreement and further updates would be provided to Members ahead of seeking formal approval of the agreement.  

Councillor Nigel Mason questioned whether, post-Brexit, there would be a swell of interest from people wanting to re-establish connections through Twinning Associations.

Councillor Sam Collins gave suggestions for link ups between the twinned towns, such as a classic car rally and a sports cup competition. He noted that this Committee should engage better with both the Twinning Association and twinned towns.

Councillor Ian Albert advised Members that a small group would be coming from Bingen am Rhein in September and he would provide further details of this when available.