Madam, It seems the people of Ross have given their verdict on the value of twinning to the town and it is probably time for the debate to move on. I would be happy for it to do so were it not for some inaccuracies in Councillor Bramer's letter last week which need to be corrected.
Inaccuracy 1: The spotlights on the church have not been switched off and will not be switched off. I made a comment at a recent Town Council meeting that the illuminated structure at night looked rather odd with the scaffolding up and that we could perhaps save some money by switching off the spotlights until the spire again looks its best, but the idea was not taken forward. It may or may not have been a good idea, but I find it odd to be criticised for raising suggestions which might save council tax payers' money.
Inaccuracy 2 is that switching off the spotlights was the only suggestion offered to save energy and reduce the Council's carbon emissions. Councillor Bramer must have forgotten that a review has been commissioned of energy use at the Corn Exchange and was awaited at the time of the meeting. This has now been received and, as would be expected, has confirmed that cost effective energy and carbon savings are possible. Its recommendations are now being investigated further.
Inaccuracy 3 was that the Namutumba link is recent in origin and was initiated by the Council. Although the link was only formally recognised by the Council in 2007, this community link, spearheaded by JKHS, has been in existence since 1993. Cllr Bramer alleges that the link can be "internet only" and worthless if Councillors do not travel there. Try telling that to the three primary schools in Penyard ward, which Councillor Bramer represents on Herefordshire Council, whose curriculum is enriched by contacts with their twinned schools in Namutumba. Or to the members of Christchurch and St Francis of Rome, who have each raised enough money to build churches in Namutumba, and Ross Baptists who have helped a destitute family for ten years after they had lost their only breadwinner. Or to Ross Rotary, who have funded the building of a mother and baby wing at the medical centre there and the Lions, who paid for a borehole. Or to the many other schools, churches, businesses and voluntary organisation who work hard to support the Namutumba link and enjoy doing so.
On the subject of twinning and carbon Councillor Bramer is also mistaken. He can't stop people travelling by stopping twinning. People like to travel and will travel, whether Ross is twinned with communities in other countries or not. What the Town Council can do is encourage socially rewarding and environmentally responsible travel, in partnership with our three twinning associations. I do hope he will take up Sam Phillip's invitation to join the Betzdorf visit this year and find out what twinning is all about. He can do this without fear of raising his carbon footprint unduly, as I understand the journey will be made by coach, one of the lowest carbon travel options available.
Cllr Jane Roberts, Ross