Minutes:
The International Links Officer provided an update on the projects that were being undertaken as part of the International Links action plan.
Appendix one of the submitted report outlined all of the projects that had taken place during the 2012/13 year, and a number that were continuing to be on-going for each of Rotherham’s international partners.
Consideration was given to the new requests that had been received for funding against the International Links budget: -
St. Quentin, France: -
· Request from an MA student, Mr. Duberuil, who was seeking a placement between three and six months so that he could undertake a module for his course relating to a European-funded project. Costs would relate to Mr. Duberuil’s accommodation and travel costs;
· Request from Ms. J. Thompson for support to access a host family in France whilst learning French;
· A delegation of 6 people would be invited to attend Rotherham’s annual Mayor Making Ceremony in 2013.
Cluj, Romania: -
· An invitation had been received from the Mayor of Cluj which invited a delegation from Rotherham to attend the city's celebrations in May, 2013. A delegation of up to 20 people, including representatives from South Yorkshire Police, Rotherham College of Arts and Technology and RMBC would be invited. It was proposed that the carry-forward balance from the 2012/13 budget would be used to cover this expenditure.
Zabzre, Poland: -
· An invitation had been received for a project in Rotherham to become a partner in an EU funded project around work with Women and Young Mothers. Initial communications between the Polish element of the project and GROW had taken place. The project aimed to provide support and education for women and young mothers. Further information is awaited from Zabrze;
· Work was underway with Zabzre to develop a number of projects relating to economic participation, work and training, sport and football and the Imagination Library. Carryover funding was requested from the International Links budget to cover the cost of a delegation from Zabrze to attend work with Roma Community lead by Migration Yorkshire during early April 2013;
· An invitation had been made to the Mayor of Zabzre to attend Rotherham’s annual Mayor Making Ceremony in 2013.
Fairtrade: -
· The annual Fairtrade dinner took place at the Wharncliffe Restaurant in March, 2013, as part of Fairtrade Fortnight. Sponsorship was provided by the Co-op. The charities supported were the Mayor's Charity and Coffee Kids, each received £610 from the money raised;
· A Fairtrade painting competition would be held in May, 2013, involving young people from local schools. An awards ceremony would be held in the Rotherham Town Hall to present the awards to the winners.
Discussion ensued on the requested as now received and how they fitted into the International Links policy.
Agreed: - That the following actions be undertaken to further the requests received against the International Links project and budget: -
(a) That placements be sought in support of Mr. Duberuil’s request;
(b) That a reciprocal arrangement be sought to support Ms. J. Thompson’s placement in France;
(c) That funding be accessed from the 2012/13 carry-forward sum to support Rotherham’s participation in the 2013 Cluj annual celebrations;
(d) That the 2012/13 carry-forward sum be used to progress work on projects with Zabzre.