THIS REPORT RELATES STIRLING COUNCIL TO ITEM 12 ON THE AGENDA PROVOST’S PANEL CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S OFFICE 19 FEBRUARY 2013 NOT EXEMPT INTERNATIONAL LINKS 1 SUMMARY 1.1 This report outlines Stirling Council’s current approach to international links, and current links and relationships that exist, formally and informally. 1.2 The report details the range of international activity that Council services are involved in, that does not fall under formal, traditional twinning arrangements. 1.3 It proposes in terms of formal links that an adapted version of the “Bonn Index” is used to monitor them on a regular basis and assess any new requests. 1.4 The current request from Keçiören, Turkey is outlined and scored using the adapted Bonn Index. 2 OFFICER RECOMMENDATION(S) The Provost’s Panel is asked to: 2.1 note the current international activities Stirling Council services are involved in (Appendix 1); 2.2 note the status of current formal twinning and friendship links; 2.3 by considering the adapted version of the Bonn Index and its use in assessing the request from Keçiören, Turkey, decide if this is the mechanism that should be used in assessing future request and monitoring current links; and 2.4 make a decision based on the information and scoring regarding the friendship link request from Keçiören, Turkey and approve use of the civic budget to initially support the link. 3 CONSIDERATIONS Background to the report 3.1 In September 2008 Stirling Council agreed to develop a community-led approach to traditional twinning through financial and other support for local Twinning Associations and other community organisations which wished to undertake twinning activities, and to identify the appropriate budget(s) through which this could be resourced. Council also agreed that the Scottish Government’s International Framework should serve as a basis for Council- led international partnership activities. This policy has been considered in the development of subsequent links. 3.2 Stirling Council received a request to consider a possible friendship link with the city of Keçiören, Turkey. Further research was required to establish the potential benefits of such a link to Stirling. This also brought into question the basis for reaching such a recommendation, and it was therefore proposed to consult with Council Services and other partners, as necessary, to identify appropriate criteria. The Provost’s Panel in August 2012 asked officers to investigate a framework for considering the development of international links. 3.3 A review of all international activity within the Council was attempted. A request was sent to all Heads of Service and Service Managers in Stirling Council requesting information on any international links they have currently, or have been part of over the last two years. They were asked to outline reasons, benefits, problems and costs associated with each. The results of this are attached as Appendix 1. Opportunities for educational and cultural links are taken and well maintained at service level. 3.4 On contacting other Local Authorities in Scotland, it became clear that Glasgow City Council had the most robust method for assessing requests and monitoring links, using the Bonn Index (Appendix 2). 3.5 The Bonn Index Glasgow City Council use has been altered to make it more appropriate the city of Stirling, and has been used to score the international links request from Keçiören, Turkey (Appendix 3). The Bonn index has been used as it effectively and succinctly covers the main points of the “Twinning and Other International Partnership Activities” Stirling Council policy adopted in 2008. The Panel should consider whether this scoring system a) Is appropriate for use in assessing future requests; b) Would be beneficial to use in yearly reviews of formal links; c) Supports or does not support the request from Keçiören, Turkey, and if this is an acceptable response. 3.6 Keçiören, Turkey approached Stirling with a twinning request in 2012. The Turkish Scottish Business and Trade Council visited the Provost on 31st July 2012. It is suggested that Stirling Council form an international link focusing on economic and educational opportunities. Keçiören is a district of the Ankara province in Turkey. The 2010 census showed the urban population of Keçiören to be 817, 262. The district covers 192km2. 3.7 There is call from the Scottish Turkish community to have a Turkish Consul in Scotland, in April officials from Turkey will visit London and discuss this. 3.8 A large percentage of the employment in Ankara is provided by the state institutions; such as the ministries, undersecretariats, and other administrative bodies of the Turkish government. 3.9 Economic benefits for the Stirling area could be pursued in a variety of ways, including through industry and trade, encouraging Turkish tourism in Stirling, and through skills development on both sides. 3.10 Industry in Ankara includes state-owned and private Turkish defence and aerospace companies, where the industrial plants and headquarters of the Turkish Aerospace Industries, MKE, Aselsan, Havelsan, Roketsan, FNSS, Nurol, and numerous other firms are located. The IDEF is held every two years in Ankara and is one of the largest international trade fairs of the global arms industry. Large white goods manufacturer Beko, is also based in Turkey. In terms of defining the ecomonic benefits of a link with Keçiören it would be helpful for more in depth research of industry in the area to be done. There are clear avenues for trade and manufacturing, as well as education, skills development and tourism opportunities for both Stirling and Keçiören. 4 POLICY/RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS AND CONSULTATIONS Policy Implications Equality Impact Assessment No Strategic Environmental Assessment No Single Outcome Agreement Yes Diversity (age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation) No Sustainability (community, economic, environmental) No Effect on Council’s green house gas emissions No Effect Strategic/Service Plan No Existing Policy or Strategy No Risk No Resource Implications Financial Yes People Yes Land and Property or IT Systems No Consultations Internal or External Consultations Yes Equality Impact Assessment 4.1 The recommendations presented in this report were considered under the Council’s Equalities Impact Assessment process and were assessed as not relevant for the purposes of Equality Impact Assessment. It should be noted that many of the proposals are being implemented by Services and where appropriate have already been the subject of Equality Impact Assessments. Strategic Environmental Assessment 4.2 The contents of this report were considered under the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 and a Strategic Environmental Assessment is not required. Single Outcome Agreement 4.3 The Council’s International Links activities may have the potential to contribute to the priorities set out in Serving Stirling until 2017 and the Single Outcome Agreement • The development of international business and trade links; the promotion of Stirling as an international tourism destination and its use as an international events venue will contribute to the outcomes sought under the Strategic Topic 1- Making Stirling a place with a vibrant economy that is open for business. • Fostering tolerance and understanding between international communities can serve as a mechanism for creating mutual understanding and overcoming prejudice that will contribute to the diverse communities that are sought under Strategic Topic 2- Making Stirling a place with jobs and opportunities for all. • The opportunity to identify and replicate good practice in service delivery from around the world can contribute to the Strategic Theme of Making Services Better. 4.4 Considering the impact of our everyday actions on communities overseas will contribute to the Strategic Theme of Making Stirling more sustainable. Other Policy Implications 4.5 None Resource Implications 4.6 The officer discussions around developing a framework for international links will need to take into account resourcing issues, as there is currently no dedicated officer time or budgets. Consultations 4.7 Consultation is required with Council Services, community planning partners and others to develop the framework. 5 BACKGROUND PAPERS 5.1 International Links – Report to Provost’s Panel 20 August 2012 5.2 Twinning and Other International Partnership Activities – Report to Stirling Council 11 September 2008 6 APPENDICES 6.1 Appendix 1 Service responses from review of international activity 6.2 Appendix 2 Bonn Index adapted for Stirling 6.3 Appendix 3 Bonn Index adapted for Stirling scoring Keçiören, Turkey Author(s) Name Designation Telephone Number/E-mail Laura Caven Project Assistant – Chief 443019/ Executive’s Office [email protected] Approved by Name Designation Signature Bob Jack Chief Executive Date 8 February 2013 Service Reference .