Former twin towns will still be funded

Causeway Coast and Glens councillors have voted to approve the transfer of the Legacy Council Twinning arrangements into the 2016/2017 financial year.

Currently the four legacy councils are twinned with seven places: Limavady - Vigneux Sur Seine (France), Westport, Co Mayo; Coleraine - La Roche-Sur-Yon (France); Ballymoney - Vanves (France), Isle of Man; Moyle - Pourrieres (France), Ballinasloe.

The Twinning Associations currently received a combined £14,700 in funding.

Cllr George Duddy said it was hard to equate what value they bring to the borough.

“I can see the tourism benefit of Ballymoney being linked with the Isle of Man especially with the motorcycling links. However, it’s hard to see what the others bring. I propose we have more information brought back to this committee about the associations.”

Cllr Cara McShane explained Moyle’s links with Ballinasloe was as part of the three great fairs of Ireland. “These links have been superficial with mainly invites to the fair so more could be done to bring it into the 21st Century. With Ballycastle only just been named as the best place to live in Northern Ireland it helps us enhance the product,” she said. Cllr McShane also asked for more information regarding Moyle’s twinning with Gaza.

Ald Frank Campbell said links were ‘very active’ between the Ballymoney and their twin towns.

“There is a group from Douglas coming over this weekend,” he revealed.

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