38/11 - INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP ARRANGEMENTS WITH , , : A report in the name of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services was submitted and the Member Services Manager reported on the approach that had been made by the City of Barrie, Southern Ontario, Canada for the Council to form a link with the city. The report detailed information about Barrie. Tourism plays an important part in its local economy and it is home to numerous annual festivals. It runs two distinct international youth programmes and through the offices of Sir Thomas Ingilby the city’s School Board had been in touch with St Aidan’s Church of England School in Harrogate about developing a link with a view to progressing an exchange of students. The city is named after Sir Robert Barrie who was in charge of British naval forces in Canada during the Anglo/American war of 1812-1815. He married Julia Wharton Ingilby in 1876 and both he and his Lady are buried at Ripley where there is a stained glass window in the local Church to their memory.

The Member Services Manager reported that the original international partnership was town twinning, encouraged by many European governments after the Second World War. There was now a trend to look beyond those and to form international partnerships which tend to be less prescribed, cater for joint exploration of business and tourism opportunities and provide a platform for the pursuit of community involvement and support. The motivation for establishing such partnerships would be a matter for the communities concerned. Initially, the Council would become involved as facilitator, via the Mayor’s Secretary, putting the relevant communities in touch with one another. The exact nature of any partnership would need further exploration by the two administrations once any link had been formalised. In answer to a Member’s question, the Member Services Manager advised that Barrie City Council had already agreed to establish a link with Harrogate but enthusiasm for this amongst its wider communities was not known at this stage. The Leader of the Council has advised Barrie City Council informally that Harrogate Borough Council would be supportive of formalising the relationship between the two communities but has made it clear that it must be at no cost to the local taxpayer. The recommendation below is on that basis.

RECOMMENDED (UNANIMOUSLY):

That the Council establish and develop a formal International Partnership arrangement with Barrie, Ontario. (5.50 pm to 5.54 pm)