New and resurrected town twinning links with communities in Italy and France are being put forward in County Durham.
And a third new arrangement, with a town in New Zealand which shares links to the celebrated Durham Light Infantry (DLI), could be set to follow.
Durham County Council’s Cabinet is next week being recommended to approve the establishment of a new town twinning relationship between Durham and Castiglione dei Pepoli in Italy.
It is also being asked to support the reinstatement of an historic arrangement between Bishop Auckland and Ivry-sur-Seine in France.
Furthermore, Cabinet will be told that conversations are taking place with Tauranga, New Zealand, with a regiment that later become part of the DLI having served there in the 19th century.
Cllr Karen Allison, the council’s Cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street, said: “The value of town twinning relationships is significant as they contribute to our ambitions to supercharge our economy and build better communities.
“They do this by enhancing County Durham’s international profile and strengthening its reputation as an outstanding place to live, work, invest, study, and visit; supporting our visitor economy and promoting cultural exchange.
“Such partnerships also create opportunities for collaboration in areas including heritage, regeneration, tourism, culture, skills, business, and place promotion; and to share knowledge and best practice with places facing similar opportunities and challenges.
“It is testament to County Durham’s global standing that communities across the globe – in France, Italy and the other side of the world in New Zealand – have approached us about forging links.
“We look forward to seeing the benefits of the European twinnings if agreed by Cabinet and to continuing the discussions with New Zealand.”
The meeting on Wednesday 14 October at Salvus House in Durham will be given an overview of the council’s current international partnership and town twinning arrangements.
County Durham has maintained international partnerships and town twinning relationships for more than 70 years, with many of these relationships having been established after the Second World War.
As well as Durham in North Carolina, active twinning arrangements are in place with Banská Bystrica in Slovakia; Kreis Wesel in Germany; Tübingen in Germany; and Alcalá de Guadaíra in Spain.
Councillors will also be updated on the authority’s new approach to such partnerships, following the transfer of responsibility for the function to its Visit County Durham service in 2024.
A report to the meeting explains that the approach has evolved from delivering externally funded international education and exchange programmes to acting primarily as a strategic facilitator, connector and ambassador for County Durham.
Activity is focused on maintaining productive relationships with existing partner authorities, supporting civic engagement, developing opportunities that align with corporate priorities, and promoting County Durham internationally through collaborative working with partners.
Recent activity has included welcoming a delegation from the Durham Sister Cities Association, from Durham in North Carolina; and international commemorative activity – recognising County Durham’s military heritage – in France. Collaboration has also taken place with Durham University and community organisations to deliver Durham city’s Chinese New Year celebrations – attended by representatives of the Chinese Consulate,
Bishop Auckland and Ivry-sur-Seine were formally twinned from 1962 until 2002, when the relationship lapsed following administrative changes and a reduction in formal activity.
The interest from New Zealand stems from a long-standing historical connection between County Durham and Tauranga through the DLI. The 68th Regiment of Foot, which later became part of the DLI, was involved in the Tauranga Campaign of 1864, and the shared history continues to be recognised and commemorated in both countries.
The council has recently strengthened professional relationships with colleagues in New Zealand through work relating to the DLI Collection and associated exhibitions.
To read the report to Cabinet in full, visit https://democracy.durham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=154&MId=17006
