Decision details

74.1      The Council considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture concerning work being undertaken to strengthen the City’s links with China and provide business opportunities for local companies, through helping them to gain access to Chinese markets.

74.2      Councillor James moved the recommendation set out in the report.

74.3      Councillor Dallimore seconded the motion.

74.4      Councillor James noted that the Council had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Paju in South Korea sometime ago. He noted there had been a number of delegations from China in recent months and he believed that being asked to sign such an agreement was a considerable honour for the City. He stated that there would be benefits for local businesses and emphasised that it would not be a traditional twinning arrangement.

74.5      Councillor Haigh stated that the friendship agreement would bring benefits for the City and asked if contact had been made with the newly elected Mayor of Paju.

74.6      Councillor Hilton commented that the agreement could bring important benefits to both Cities, but added that he hoped that inward investment would not falsely inflate property prices to the detriment of local people. He stated that it was important to the City and County to export to China.

74.7      Councillor Dallimore commented that it was good to know that the delegates had been impressed with Gloucester, as China had the world’s fastest growing economy.

74.8      Councillor James advised that he had written to the new Mayor of Paju some time ago and he hoped that the Mayor would be able to visit Gloucester.

74.9      RESOLVED –That the report be noted and the principles contained therein be endorsed.