EL3 CF.GROUP1997M Motherwell, 9 April 1997 at 10 am. A Meeting of the CIVIC FUNCTIONS GROUP PRESENT Provost Mathieson, Convener; Councillors Craig, Lyle and J. Martin. CHAIR Provost Mathieson (Convener) presided. IN ATTENDANCE The Director of Administration. APOLOGIES Depute Provost McCulloch, Vice-Convener; Councillors Holloway, H. McGuigan and Pentland. CIVIC HOSPITALITY - FUNCTIONS ARRANGED SINCE LAST MEETING OF GROUP 1. There was submitted a report dated 3 April 1997 by the Director of Administration advising of civic functions which had been arranged in terms of delegated powers since the last meeting of the Group on 19 February 1997. Decided:that the report be noted. REQUESTS FOR CIVIC RECOGNITION 2. There was submitted a report dated 3 April 1997 by the Director of Administration in connection with the undernoted requests for civic recognition which had been received from:- (1) the Secretary, Cumbernauld Indoor Bowling Club, to mark the achievement of the Club's Manager in winning the World Singles Championship; (2) the Honorary Secretary, Scottish Disabled Sailors Association, to mark the Scottish Open Challenger Championship to be held at Strathclyde Country Park on 29 and 30 June 1997; (3) the Executive Administrator, Scottish Women's Football Association, to mark the Scottish Cup Final to be held at Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld on 4 May 1997, and (4) the Games Secretary, Shotts Highland Games Association, to mark the Shotts Highland Games on 7 June 1997. Decided:that appropriate hospitality be provided in each case. INTERNATIONAL YOUTH EXCHANGE VISITS - CIVIC HOSPITALITY 3. With reference to paragraph 10 of the Minute of the Education Committee of 18 March 1997, the Group considered a report of 25 February 1997 by the Director of Education which had been submitted to that Committee concerning the provision of civic hospitality, later this year, associated with reciprocal international youth exchange visits to St Denis, France and Hamburg, Germany by Airdrie Youth Exchange Group and Netherdale Youth Club, Motherwell, respectively. Decided:that appropriate hospitality be provided in each case for the reciprocal visits to North Lanarkshire in July 1997. COSLA MEETINGS - CIVIC HOSPITALITY 4. There was submitted a report dated 3 April 1997 by the Director of Administration recommending that suitable hospitality be provided for meetings of COSLA's Development Services Forum and the COSLA Convention to be held at the Civic Centre, Motherwell, on 9 May and 27 June 1997, respectively. Decided:that appropriate hospitality be provided in each case. VISIT TO NORTH LANARKSHIRE BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM CHISINAU, MOLDOVA AND ST DENIS, FRANCE - CIVIC HOSPITALITY 5. There was submitted a report dated 3 April 1997 by the Director of Administration advising that (1) the Policy and Resources Committee, at its meeting on 29 October 1996, had agreed that invitations be extended to representatives from Chisinau, Moldova, to visit North Lanarkshire in order to gain a fuller understanding of Scottish Local Government practice and provision, particularly in relation to child care services and to assist the Council in determining possible future cultural, educational and business links in Moldova and in Central and Eastern Europe, and (2) the General Purposes Committee, at its meeting on 27 November 1996, had agreed that invitations be extended to representatives from St Denis, France, to visit North Lanarkshire. Decided:that appropriate hospitality be provided in respect of the visits to North Lanarkshire by representatives from Chisinau, Moldova, between 5 and 12 April and from St Denis, France, between 9 and 13 April 1997. VISIT TO NORTH LANARKSHIRE BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM MEULAN, FRANCE - CIVIC HOSPITALITY 6. There was submitted a report dated 3 April 1997 by the Director of Administration advising that the Chairperson of Kilsyth Town Twinning Association had written to the Council requesting (1) civic hospitality in the form of a lunch on 9 May 1997 to mark a visit to North Lanarkshire by representatives from Meulan, France, and (2) financial assistance towards the costs of entertaining the representatives from Meulan during the course of their visit. Decided: (1) that hospitality, in the form of a civic lunch, be provided, and (2) that the question of financial assistance towards the costs involved in the visit be referred to the General Purposes Committee for consideration with the recommendation that a grant of $400, being 50% of the total estimated costs, be provided. The Convener being of the opinion that the following item of business was of an urgent nature authorised its consideration in view of the need for a timeous decision to be reached and varied the order of business to permit its consideration at this point on the Agenda. INVITATION TO VISIT MEULAN, FRANCE 7. The Director of Administration reported that a letter dated 8 April 1997 had been received from the Mayor of Meulan and President of the Twinning Committee inviting Provost Mathieson to attend a Flower Festival and a Cheese Festival to be held in Meulan, France, between 21 and 22 June and 11 and 12 October 1997, respectively. Decided:that the matter be referred to the General Purposes Committee for consideration. VISIT TO NORTH LANARKSHIRE BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM LES MARCHES, FRANCE - CIVIC HOSPITALITY 8. There was submitted a report dated 3 April 1997 by the Director of Administration advising of (1) a request received by Councillor Wallace for civic recognition of a visit to North Lanarkshire by representatives from Les Marches, France, between 8 and 12 May 1997, and (2) ongoing discussions between representatives from the towns of Les Marches and Stepps with a view to establishing formal twinning links between the towns. Decided:that suitable hospitality be provided on this occasion. NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL FLAG 9. With reference to paragraphs 2 and 6 of the Minutes of this Group held on 8 January and 19 February 1997, respectively, there was submitted a report dated 3 April 1997 by the Director of Administration providing details of the design of a proposed North Lanarkshire Council Flag following discussions with the Lyon Clerk. Decided:that consideration of the matter be continued. PROPOSED COUNCIL BURNS SUPPER 1998 10. Consideration was given to the arrangements for a Council organised Burns Supper in 1998. Decided:that the Director of Administration, in consultation with the Provost, the Convener of the General Purposes Committee and the Director of Leisure Services, make the appropriate arrangements for a Council Burns Supper to be held in the Civic Concert Hall, Motherwell, on 16 January 1998..