Present:
| Members | Present | Apologies | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor: Cllr M Horwood | ✓ | ||
| Deputy Mayor: Cllr R Wood | ✓ | ||
| Leader: Cllr L Dyball | ✓ | ||
| Deputy Leader: Cllr N Scott | ✓ | ||
| Cllr C Barnes | ✓ | ||
| Cllr P Brown | ✓ | Personal Circumstances | |
| Cllr G Darrington | ✓ | ||
| Cllr P Darrington | ✓ | ||
| Cllr S Durden | ✓ | ||
| Cllr J Ferrari | ✓ | Personal Circumstances | |
| Cllr J Knight | ✓ | ||
| Cllr K Mitchell | ✓ | ||
| Cllr C Morgan | ✓ | Personal Circumstances | |
| Cllr C Prestedge | Absent | ||
| Cllr L Taylor | Absent | ||
| Cllr E Uttley | ✓ | Personal Circumstances |
Officers:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Ryan Hayman
Assistant Town Clerk – Toni Roast
Executive Assistant – Tracey Bayliss
Also Present:
Cllr David Skinner – Sevenoaks District Council (SDC)
Daria Makushchenko – Ukrainian Translator
Online via Zoom: Mayor of Fastiv, Mr Netiazhuk and delegation.
Public: Three members of the public were present.
The National Anthem of the United Kingdom was played and the Mayor of Swanley welcomed the Mayor of Fastiv and other guests to the meeting. The National Anthem of Ukraine was played and the meeting commenced.
MEETING COMMENCED: 13:00
The Mayor of Swanley welcomed the Mayor of Fastiv and guests to the meeting.
12014 – TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllr P Brown
Cllr J Ferrari
Cllr C Morgan
Cllr C Prestedge (Absent)
Cllr L Taylor (Absent)
Cllr E Uttley
12015 – TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
NONE
12016 – SWANLEY SLIDESHOW – APPENDIX A
To receive the presentation of Swanley.
The presentation was shared online with Fastiv and the Mayor gave an overview of each slide and Swanley.
12017 – FASTIV SLIDESHOW – APPENDIX B
To receive the presentation of Fastiv.
The Mayor of Fastiv, Mr Netiazhuk, began by thanking Swanley and the United Kingdom for their support in the war of Russia against Ukraine. He thanked everyone for their support, humanitarian aid, for giving the Ukrainian people shelter, financial support and for training. He mentioned that what they appreciated most was knowing that we are close and they feel that they are not alone in this war. He said that when the Ukrainian nation is fighting hard for its independence, for peace and democracy, the cooperation with Great Britain is very significant on their journey to European integration. The Fastiv Community was very happy to receive the consent of Swanley Town Council for the twinning of Fastiv City. He said that he is sure that this cooperation will continue to our joint victory so that our countries live in peace again and our cities develop for the benefit of our residents.
The Fastiv City presentation was shared online with Swanley and the Mayor of Fastiv gave an overview of Fastiv.
12018 – TWINNING WITH UKRAINIAN CITY FASTIV
To agree twinning between Swanley and Fastiv.
A vote took place and Swanley Town Council (STC) and Fastiv City Council (FCC) unanimously agreed to the twinning. The Mayor of Fastiv thanked STC for twinning with Fastiv.
12019 – TWINNING MEMORANDUMS – APPENDIX C
To accept and sign the agreements.
The agreements were accepted and signed in Swanley by the Mayor of Swanley and the CEO. The agreements were signed in Fastiv by the Mayor of Fastiv.
A drawing of St Mary’s Church was presented to the Mayor of Fastiv as a gift from the Mayor of Swanley.
12020 – TWINNING OATH
To recite the official oath in both languages and sign.
The Twinning Oath was recited to everyone in English and Ukrainian. The Mayor of Swanley signed the Oath in Swanley and the Mayor of Fastiv signed the Oath in Ukraine.
The Mayor of Swanley closed the meeting by thanking the Mayor of Fastiv and to the people of Fastiv and that we look forward to a successful relationship and look forward to meeting personally very soon.
The Mayor of Fastiv and all Fastiv residents thanked STC for the signing of the agreement and they are sure this agreement will bring about many good things in the future. They are looking forward to welcoming an STC delegation in Fastiv.
Online meeting ended 13:53
It was mentioned that an official delegation could be arranged to travel to Fastiv at some point in the future. No dates have been set yet and will depend on a range of Government, legal and insurance advice as to whether a trip could be carried out.
Cllr David Skinner from Sevenoaks District Council has experience in travel and support into at risk countries and regions and has been instrumental in giving advice on the procedures for any potential visit.
It was mentioned that donations have been provided for hospital equipment and beds, educational supplies and individuals are actively fund raising with stalls at various events. A private business has come forward to support in taking this aid from the Swanley community and individuals are investigating donations from local businesses for petrol. The aid trip is all being funded and organised by private donations from residents and sponsors from Swanley businesses and has no implications on the taxpayer of Swanley.
It was said that the current Twinning Committee were fully supportive of the agreement with Fastiv. It was asked if a further meeting could be arranged to discuss the finer details of the agreement that ensures the new relationship does not impact upon the current twinning arrangement with Verrières le Buisson. It was agreed that a meeting would be arranged.
Daria Makushchenko was thanked for translating the meeting for STC.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING: Full Council 6th September 2023
MEETING CLOSED: 14:05
SIGNED: 04/10/2023
Cllr M Horwood
Mayor of Swanley
