South Cambridgeshire District Council has no close links to other local authorities in Europe, either through membership of European local authority networks or through twinning arrangements. The Government insists that we are leaving the European Union, but not Europe, and it would seem an appropriate moment to emphasise that in South Cambridgeshire, at least, the desire for close links to Europe remains. The adjoining districts of both Fenland and Cambridge are twinned with European local authorities, as are Bourn, Comberton, the Fen Edge villages, Foxton, the Shelfords/Stapleford and Sawston as well as Huntingdon, St Ives, Ely and Soham Town Councils and Burwell Parish Council in adjoining districts.
Withdrawal from the EU also does not mean that we are necessarily withdrawing from all European programmes. The EU’s Interreg programmes promote interaction with local authorities across borders, including its external borders, and the North Sea, North West Europe and UK?Northern France programmes are currently open to Cambridgeshire. One can anticipate that the UK Government, if it is to keep to its promises, will continue to fund participation in these, but for South Cambridgeshire to do this it is necessary to build links with local authorities in Europe.
The development of such twinning links is generally done through the establishment of a twinning association. The twinning budget of Cambridge, which is twinned with both Heidelberg and Szeged, is £8140 including grants to the two twinning associations. Membership of international networks is generally more expensive than this, but may allow the development of more connections.
This Council notes the lack of international links in South Cambridgeshire and proposes that this Council:
1) emphasises our commitment to pan?European activity by European local authorities.
2) supports the development of links with European local authorities in order to maintain our links with our counterparts in Europe following withdrawal from the European Union.
3) calls upon the Cabinet to:
a. examine in more detail potential means of increasing our own links with European local authorities and localities, examining the costs and the benefits, and report back.
b. examine means of supporting and promoting the development of European links by the parish and town councils in the District.
Decision:
Council AGREED the following motion:-
South Cambridgeshire District Council has no close links to other local authorities in Europe, either through membership of European local authority networks or through twinning arrangements. The Government insists that we are leaving the European Union, but not Europe, and it would seem an appropriate moment to emphasise that in South Cambridgeshire, at least, the desire for close links to Europe remains. The adjoining districts of both Fenland and Cambridge are twinned with European local authorities, as are Bourn, Comberton, the Fen Edge villages, Foxton, the Shelfords/Stapleford and Sawston as well as Huntingdon, St Ives, Ely and Soham Town Councils and Burwell Parish Council in adjoining districts.
Withdrawal from the EU also does not mean that we are necessarily withdrawing from all European programmes. The EU’s Interreg programmes promote interaction with local authorities across borders, including its external borders, and the North Sea, North West Europe and UK?Northern France programmes are currently open to Cambridgeshire. One can anticipate that the UK Government, if it is to keep to its promises, will continue to fund participation in these, but for South Cambridgeshire to do this it is necessary to build links with local authorities in Europe.
The development of such twinning links is generally done through the establishment of a twinning association. The twinning budget of Cambridge, which is twinned with both Heidelberg and Szeged, is £8140 including grants to the two twinning associations. Membership of international networks is generally more expensive than this, but may allow the development of more connections.
This Council notes the lack of international links in South Cambridgeshire and proposes that this Council:
1) emphasises our commitment to pan?European activity by European local authorities.
2) supports the development of links with European local authorities in order to maintain our links with our counterparts in Europe following withdrawal from the European Union.
3) calls upon the Cabinet to:
a. examine in more detail potential means of increasing our own links with European local authorities and localities, examining the costs and the benefits, and report back.
b. examine means of supporting and promoting the development of European links by the parish and town councils in the District.
Minutes:
Councillor Dr. Martin Cahn moved the following motion, as set out in the agenda:
“South Cambridgeshire District Council has no close links to other local authorities in Europe, either through membership of European local authority networks or through twinning arrangements. The Government insists that we are leaving the European Union, but not Europe, and it would seem an appropriate moment to emphasise that in South Cambridgeshire, at least, the desire for close links to Europe remains. The adjoining districts of both Fenland and Cambridge are twinned with European local authorities, as are Bourn, Comberton, the Fen Edge villages, Foxton, the Shelfords/Stapleford and Sawston as well as Huntingdon, St Ives, Ely and Soham Town Councils and Burwell Parish Council in adjoining districts.
Withdrawal from the EU also does not mean that we are necessarily withdrawing from all European programmes. The EU’s Interreg programmes promote interaction with local authorities across borders, including its external borders, and the North Sea, North West Europe and UK?Northern France programmes are currently open to Cambridgeshire. One can anticipate that the UK Government, if it is to keep to its promises, will continue to fund participation in these, but for South Cambridgeshire to do this it is necessary to build links with local authorities in Europe.
The development of such twinning links is generally done through the establishment of a twinning association. The twinning budget of Cambridge, which is twinned with both Heidelberg and Szeged, is £8140 including grants to the two twinning associations. Membership of international networks is generally more expensive than this, but may allow the development of more connections.
This Council notes the lack of international links in South Cambridgeshire and proposes that this Council:
1) emphasises our commitment to pan?European activity by European local authorities.
2) supports the development of links with European local authorities in order to maintain our links with our counterparts in Europe following withdrawal from the European Union.
3) calls upon the Cabinet to:
a. examine in more detail potential means of increasing our own links with European local authorities and localities, examining the costs and the benefits, and report back.
b. examine means of supporting and promoting the development of European links by the parish and town councils in the District.”
Councillor Gavin Clayton seconded the motion.
Councillor Dr. Cahn expressed his surprise at the fact that the District Council was not twinned with another authority, when Fenland District Council, Cambridge City Council and many parish councils had twinned with suitable authorities from overseas.
Councillor Nick Wright proposed and Councillor Deborah Roberts seconded that the motion be amended to allow twinnings with authorities from any nation and not just those from Europe. Councillor Cahn did not accept this amendment.
Councillor Heather Williams stated that in its current guise the motion could appear to be anti-Brexit and it was time to move on. Councillor Deborah Roberts explained that the world had changed and links should be established with authorities from the Commonwealth.
Councillor Steve Hunt explained that the UK’s relationship with the European Union had changed and this motion could help to maintain friendly relations. He stated that it was easier to visit European nations than many of the nations from the Commonwealth.
Councillor Dr. Shrobona Bhattacharya spoke in favour of the proposal that twinnings should be international.
Councillor Phillip Allen pointed out that amending the motion by substituting the word “European” with “world” would not make grammatical sense in many instances.
A vote was held on the amendment and was cast as follows:
In favour (8):
Councillors Dr. Shrobona Bhattacharya, Tom Bygott, Graham Cone, Sue Ellington, Mark Howell, Deborah Roberts, Heather Williams and Nick Wright.
Against (21):
Councillors Philip Allen, Henry Batchelor, John Batchelor, Anna Bradnam, Dr. Martin Cahn, Gavin Clayton, Dr. Claire Daunton, Clare Delderfield, Peter Fane, Neil Gough, Geoff Harvey, Dr. Tumi Hawkins, Steve Hunt, Tony Mason, Brian Milnes, Bridget Smith, Hazel Smith, Dr. Ian Sollom, Dr. Aidan Van de Weyer, John Williams and Eileen Wilson.
Abstain (0):
The Chairman declared the amendment LOST.
Council then voted on the substantive motion and votes were cast as follows:
In favour (21):
Councillors Philip Allen, Henry Batchelor, John Batchelor, Anna Bradnam, Dr. Martin Cahn, Gavin Clayton, Dr. Claire Daunton, Clare Delderfield, Peter Fane, Neil Gough, Geoff Harvey, Dr. Tumi Hawkins, Steve Hunt, Tony Mason, Brian Milnes, Bridget Smith, Hazel Smith, Dr. Ian Sollom, Dr. Aidan Van de Weyer, John Williams and Eileen Wilson.
Against (8):
Councillors Dr. Shrobona Bhattacharya, Tom Bygott, Graham Cone, Sue Ellington, Mark Howell, Deborah Roberts, Heather Williams and Nick Wright.
Abstain (0):
Council
RESOLVED
South Cambridgeshire District Council has no close links to other local authorities in Europe, either through membership of European local authority networks or through twinning arrangements. The Government insists that we are leaving the European Union, but not Europe, and it would seem an appropriate moment to emphasise that in South Cambridgeshire, at least, the desire for close links to Europe remains. The adjoining districts of both Fenland and Cambridge are twinned with European local authorities, as are Bourn, Comberton, the Fen Edge villages, Foxton, the Shelfords/Stapleford and Sawston as well as Huntingdon, St Ives, Ely and Soham Town Councils and Burwell Parish Council in adjoining districts.
Withdrawal from the EU also does not mean that we are necessarily withdrawing from all European programmes. The EU’s Interreg programmes promote interaction with local authorities across borders, including its external borders, and the North Sea, North West Europe and UK?Northern France programmes are currently open to Cambridgeshire. One can anticipate that the UK Government, if it is to keep to its promises, will continue to fund participation in these, but for South Cambridgeshire to do this it is necessary to build links with local authorities in Europe.
The development of such twinning links is generally done through the establishment of a twinning association. The twinning budget of Cambridge, which is twinned with both Heidelberg and Szeged, is £8140 including grants to the two twinning associations. Membership of international networks is generally more expensive than this, but may allow the development of more connections.
This Council notes the lack of international links in South Cambridgeshire and proposes that this Council:
1) emphasises our commitment to pan?European activity by European local authorities.
2) supports the development of links with European local authorities in order to maintain our links with our counterparts in Europe following withdrawal from the European Union.
3) calls upon the Cabinet to:
a. examine in more detail potential means of increasing our own links with European local authorities and localities, examining the costs and the benefits, and report back.
b. examine means of supporting and promoting the development of European links by the parish and town councils in the District.