calnetalk.com

Peter Dolman · Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:17 am Post subject: twinning

For the sake of clarity I will try to make the point again.

During my 4 years as a town councillor (2003 to 2007) I chaired the finance sub committee which dealt with the annual budget. Over those 4 years there was no provision in any of the budgets for the twinning association.

There is an amount set aside each year which local community groups & charities can apply to for support. They may or may not have applied for a grant from this pot. The average grant is in the region of £200 to £300 and they are given to a wide range of groups some well known, some very obscure. They are all worth while causes.
The information on who receive grants and the amount awarded can be obtained from bank house.

Anyone can get involved in the twinning association (and I do mean anyone), you would be welcomed with open arms. It is not a closed group they wany more involvement by town people.
The benefits are great for individuals and ultimately for society as a whole.

Let me reiterate there is no hidden cost to the rate payers of Calne.
Yes this year our Mayor has been invited by the Mayor of Ennigen to take part in a ceremony to mark the twinning. I think that we should not expect our Mayor to fund the cost himself!

Bear · Bentlian Oldboy Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Posts: 826 Status:

So who pays for the extra printing costs incurred when you put 'Twinned with whoever' on the road signed or any letter headings from the council

GTB · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:21 pm Post subject:

I think we shall have to agree to disagree whether the twinning actually benefits Calne as a whole.

Thankyou very much, Peter for your honest input into this subject, and certainly from a man in the know. It's very good that someone like yourself is able to give the time and clarity to answer questions like this one on a public forum where all can see (and learn!). It would be nice to see a few more authoritive figures like yourself, Peter on Calnetalk.
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Peter Dolman · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:47 pm Post subject: twinning

Bear, headed paper and the like will be ordered any way. The cost of adding twinned with................ is tiny in comparison.

The town council give approx £3,000 every year to the CAB, an organisation the majority of residents are never likely to want. Myself included.
I would not advocate for one instance the town council stopped their support for the CAB.

There are other examples where the Town council spends "my" money in areas that do not benefit me or my family in any way.
Everyone is in the same position sometimes you win sometimes you lose.
I would rather live here than in most other countries.

Peter Dolman · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:52 pm Post subject: twinning

GTB thank you for your kind words. I think it would be great if there were more opinions on this site. I only came on it by chance.

The organisers should consider sending all the town/district councillors a pack with the access details and some examples of topics raised.

I do feel that people should be more open with their details rather than hide behind made up names. I would hope that councillors would have the strength to use their proper names!

Bear · Bentlian Oldboy Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Posts: 826 Status:

Cheers Peter yeh i'm sorry I do get carried away playing Devils Advocate sometimes. My mum always said I could start a fight in an empty house. All good fun though. Big Smile

Chepfer · Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 12:54 pm Post subject:

Please have a look at this link and make your own minds up......

[url]www.calne-twinning.org.uk [/url]

i re-attach my sadly "unread" post, it tells you how to join.

Wink....

Geddi · Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 11:59 pm Post subject:

The British are once again twinning (sort of) with Iraq. We send loads of troops over there to train the new Iraqi police force and wear wigs and arab clothes carrying explosives and weapons and they flee and come here seeking jobs and asylum (at least the wealthier ones make it this far).
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Democracy is dead.

Peter Dolman · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 6:21 am Post subject: twinning

Geddi, while a sentiment I share this is not the thred for discussing the topic. You should start a new one.