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Has twinning lost its flavour?
HOW times have changed. Not too long ago even the smallest town proudly boasted of its foreign 'twin' - a distant place which was happy to exchange civic Christmas cards and host parties of schoolchildren and jet-setting dignitaries.
Today, though, with a new wind of realism blowing through council cash chests, every penny has to pay its way.
However that does not prevent the embarrassment felt by members of the Sheffield 13 Brass Ensemble, currently on a visit to Sheffield's German twin city, Bochum. While they will be wined and dined by their hosts, they feel lucky to be able to offer a civic cuppa and plate of biscuits when Sheffield's turn comes around to play host.
Twinning arrangements were once the flavour of the day, trumpeted as the a civic alliance to build international relationships. Let's be honest, though.
What evidence is there that any of that actually worked? And if the evidence is not to be found, then be fair with our foreign counterparts and admit that twinning arrangements should be scrapped once and for all.
Answer is to build more rented homes
TODAY Sheffield council tenants are given the opportunity to have their say on a Government idea to limit security of tenancies in order to free up properties when families' circumstances change.
Ministers argue that it is does not make sense for a single person, generally a pensioner, to be allowed to continue living in a council property if it is bigger than he or she needs while families are crying out for larger homes.
Unfortunately this logical approach is devoid of compassion. And readers are quick to point out that a council house is also their home, somewhere they have set down roots and where they have embraced a wider neighbourhood.
If the Government is genuine in its belief that our communities will need to take on board more of the responsibilities of caring for each other, then they must build on the existing sense of belonging. And that comes from long-term residents, whether or not they live in a house with several spare bedrooms.
The answer is not tipping people out of their homes but in providing sufficient properties of the right size in places where people want to live.
Appropriate time
JUST when local businesses may have thought the honeymoon was over, Sheffield City Council is wooing them once more to show that this really is the most business friendly city in the country.
An initiative was launched two years ago to prove just that and strong moves were made to achieve the aim. Now the council is renewing its energy to build on present successes. There could be no more appropriate time, with the city's economy in need of fresh blood.
Got a view? Leave a comment below.
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Weather for Sheffield
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light snow
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