Ordinary Meeting of Council 1 March 2006

1.2 PROPOSED POLICY - SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIPS

(All Wards) (Internal Audit)

KEY ISSUES

• The City's past approach to sister city relationships has been an informal one. Until recently, only one such relationship existed with Bivongi, Italy and limited to art and culture exhibitions through AM International

• Requests for the City to enter into sister city relationships is increasing and a formal policy statement and assessment criteria is required in order to effectively assess these requests

It is recommended to adopt the attached policy titled 'Sister City Relationships'; place $10,000 on the City's draft 2006/07 budget for consideration and assess the current sister city request from Inami, Japan against the new policy and assessment criteria in a future report to Council.

BACKGROUND

At the Leadership & Governance Councillor Portfolio meeting held in September 2005, the matter of providing an adequate budget for the City's current sister city relationships was discussed, together with a request to investigate the relevance of a policy statement and selection criteria for new sister city relationship requests.

REPORT

At the request of the Leadership & Governance Councillor Portfolio Committee, comparisons were made with other local governments regarding sister city relationship policies and assessment criteria. The Cities of , Belmont and were contacted and all have varying degrees and types of commitment to sister city relationships.

City of Joondalup

The has one sister city relationship with Jinan, China. Friendly relations between the two cities have been developing since 2000 and in November 2004, an official protocol agreement formalising the sister city relationship was signed.

It is expected that this sister city relationship will bring about economic, socio-cultural and environmental benefits between the two cities. In order for this to occur, a draft five year Relationship Plan has been developed through a consultative process with City stakeholders. The draft Plan was also provided to the Jinan Delegates when they visited Joondalup in August 2005 for comment to ensure its feasibility. The Plan

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provides a blueprint for the cities to guide the activities that they wish to focus upon and pursue over the next five years. The draft Plan will also assist the City of Joondalup to provide information to its community about the ongoing relationship and provides measures that will show ho the relationship benefits both cities.

The draft Plan recommends that the relationship activities be reported annually to Council to ensure that the objectives of the Plan are being met.

As the City of Joondalup has only one sister city relationship, no policy or assessment criteria has been developed. However, the Relationship Plan provided detail in relation to commitment and expected outcomes from both parties.

City of Belmont

The has one sister city relationship with Idachi, Japan which has been in place for some considerable time and focuses mainly on student exchanges. A Committee made up of Councillors, staff and members of the community oversee the sister city initiatives. Australian student delegates are required to fundraise to help subsidise the cost of their visit to Japan.

As the City of Belmont has only one sister city relationship, no policy or assessment criteria has been developed.

City of Perth

As the capital of , it is understandable that the has a number of sister city relationships (a total of nine) which are based upon benefits in the areas of trade, tourism, culture, education and sport and the annual budget is substantial.

The City of Perth's involvement in the international sister cities movement is conducted within the context of its Strategic Plan and Vision Statement. As the State's capital, it works closely with the Western Australian State Government in forming international alliances. Numerous requests for sister city relationships are received by the City of Perth on a regular basis and although the City does not actively seek to establish additional sister city relationships, requests are considered on individual merit in relation to the City's sister city policy and assessment criteria.

The objectives of the City of Perth's sister city program is to foster international peace and goodwill; seek a wider understanding of other nations, their traditions, customs and cultures; and promote Perth and, where appropriate, assist in fostering economic development, tourism and trade relations.

The City of Perth's sister city relationship program is serviced by a part-time officer whose role is to co-ordinate the City's sister city activities, ensuring the activities meet the objectives of the Council's sister city policy. The City of Perth also convenes an America Working Group to ensure the City receives community, industry and strategic input in relation to its sister city relationships with Houston and San Diego and with broader matters concerning the USA. The City is also a member of the Friends of Japan Committee.

The City of Perth has an established policy with selection criteria based on the sister Cities International organisation and Australian Sister Cities Association guidelines.

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City of Swan

In the past, the City of Swan has taken an informal approach to sister city relationships as until recently, there was only one relationship with Bivongi, Italy which had been limited to art and culture exhibitions through AM International.

However, the City now has two sister city relationships (a friendship agreement was entered into with San Salvo, Italy in July 2002) and Inami, Japan now wish to further enhance their student exchange relationship. Also, as requests from other cities to enter into a sister city relationship are now becoming more frequent, it is important that the City clearly identifies the objectives of sister city relationships at the City of Swan in a formal policy statement, together with assessment criteria.

The attached draft policy recognises the City's responsibility as the major local government in the Eastern Metropolitan Region with regard to fostering national and international goodwill and relationships. The policy also recognises the City's responsibility to meet the increasing needs of its community in a growing outer metropolitan local government with limited resources.

The policy outlines the City's commitment to existing sister city and friendship relationships as well as assessment criteria to be met for future sister city relationship requests. The proposed policy is based on the importance of building long lasting relationships to benefit both parties which can be achieved through:-

• Assessing potential relationships against meaningful criteria

• Entering into a Friendship Agreement first so that relationships can be built on with mutual understanding of commitment and expectations

• Regularly assessing existing relationships to ensure continued relevance to both parties

• Ensuring relationship projects meet corporate strategic outcomes

It is proposed that a nominal operating budget of $10,000 be placed on the City's draft 2006/07 budget for consideration in the upcoming budget deliberations. Any future specific sister city relationship projects or programs are to be assessed on merit alongside all other corporate and operational projects competing for funding through the annual budget process.

There is currently an outstanding item on the Council's meeting agenda relating to a sister city request from Inami, Japan. It is suggested that the policy, once adopted, be applied together with the selection criteria to ensure relevance.

ATTACHMENTS

Draft Policy - Sister City Relationships

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STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS

The City's Strategic Plan 2003-2005 is relevant. Particularly Key Result Area 1 - leading the City; Objective 1.1 - The City of Swan is recognised as a well governed city with strong cooperation with its community; Strategy 1.1.2 - Manage the City's resources in a sustainable and responsible manner to achieve community outcomes. Also relevant is Key Result Area 3 - Enhancing community well being; Objective 3.4 - Value and celebrate the varied cultural resources of the City; Strategy 3.4.1 - Recognise and promote cultural diversity as a core strength.

STATUTORY ENVIRONMENT

Not applicable.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

$10,000 for current sister city relationships to be placed on the City's draft 2006/07 budget for consideration during budget deliberations.

RECOMMENDATION

That the Council resolve to:

1) Adopt the attached draft policy entitled 'Sister City Relationships'.

2) Place an amount of $10,000 for current sister city relationships on the City's draft 2006/07 budget for consideration during upcoming budget deliberations.

3) Request City staff assess the sister city request from Inami, Japan utilising the new policy and assessment criteria and submit a report on the subject to the next meeting of Council.

CARRIED

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