Agenda item

To discuss options for Taunton Twinning associations for the future.

Charter Trustees considered the circulated proposal to continue provision of a degree of financial support for the group’s supporting Taunton’s Twinning arrangements for 2020.

During the discussion of this item, Members made comments and asked questions which included:-

·       The concept of twinning was fully supported. It was felt to not just be about the cultural links, but also economic and other learning benefits which would benefit the wider community.

·       It was stated that as Charter Trustees for the town that the twinning groups should be supported, and the amount per household contribution to this was considered small.

·       Twinning was felt to be more important than ever considering the wider position of the country, to building bridges and keeping good relationships with EU countries. It was queried as to the tangible outcomes from the funding that could be demonstrated to the people of Taunton to ensure Twinning stayed relevant.

·       It was suggested that those that go on the foreign visits be invited to come back and share their insights upon their return.

·       The Mayor clarified that she had gained an insight into the German Electric Car Industry upon her most recent visit to a Volkswagen factory near Konigslutter. She wished to see commerce and culture promoted far more.

·       Concern was raised about the assertion in the report on the perceived unfairness of Somerset West and Taunton Council continuing to fund Taunton’s Twinning support and not any other localities. Residents from the parished parts of Taunton went on these trips. It was stated that there seemed to be some inconsistency about which costs the Charter Trustees were expected to pick up.

·       This report had originally come before the Charter Trustees in June. From 1^st April 2020 the Charter Trustees would be managing their own budget.

·       It was considered that the Charter Trustees did not have to provide a fixed sum and could request the twinning organisations to bid for an amount each year through the Standing Committee Grants process.

·       Other Councillors felt that it was important to maintain the links and it was not unreasonable for the Charter Trustees to be approached for funding prior to the completion of a Community Governance Review.

·       It was felt important to continue the widening of participation of the visits to Germany and France and including young people in Higher Education.

·       It was clarified that the Lisieux link with Richard Huish was particularly strong and eight or nine students went across most years, with prizes given for their work.

·       Concern was felt over the prospect of bidding in in terms of affecting the budget setting and not knowing the requirements of the organisation in advance, with a precepted budget for them to draw into.

·       People that went on the trips paid for their own travel costs, with gifts and prizes funded.

·       Councillor Dave Durdan, Chair of Friends of Konigslutter (FOK), clarified that FOK raised a lot of their own funds throughout the year with meals, raffles, cream teas and other events, with the aim to raise £4000 over a two year period. This allowed the guests to be taken to various places when they visited Taunton for example, Sheppy’s Cider. The number of Councillors they send over is not matched by Taunton.

·       Magnus Stewart, Acting Chair of Lisieux Civic Twinning Link, stated that it was time for a renaissance for the twinning link, which would be 65 years next year from when the Charter was signed in 1955. The link had been started by Monsieur Parmin and Mr Trevett, two schoolmasters from Lisieux and Taunton respectively. An important part of the visits were the trip to the War Memorial in Lisieux. When the French visit all expenses were paid for by the Twinning Link apart from the Civic Dinner. There was no fundraising facility and the costs were met by the 25-35 participants. A new generation of people were needed to be involved. Plans were in motion for a celebration of the signing of the Charter, with the hope to give them an original copy and to plant a tree in memory in Vivary Park.

·       The Mayor stated that whilst the two groups were run and funded differently, the Charter Trustees should look to treat both equally as a principle.

·       It was suggested that the twinning groups prepare a report to get the message across about who has benefitted from this, with possible involvement of young people and their gains from the trips.

·       Magnus Stewart clarified that the age of the pupils restricted their participation to those pupils that went to either Richard Huish College or Bridgwater and Taunton College. The link with the latter had fallen away but the former had been interrupted but was hoped to be restated. He had met with the SWT Portfolio Holder for Communications and Culture Councillor Allen which had been positive and believed that there was a much better understanding moving forward.

RESOLVED that both Twinning Organisations were written to requesting more information on their costs and how they generate any funding for themselves, and the level of funding they required from Taunton Charter Trustees, which would form part of the Budget Discussions for 2020/21.