Staines forges unlikely twinning partnership with holiday island

Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Local Government

The middle-class English commuter town made famous by fictional wannabe gangster Ali G has forged an unlikely partnership with the paradise holiday island of Mauritius.

On the surface Staines has little in common with the island which has become a popular destination for Britons to enjoy a beach holiday.

But local mayor Simon Bhadye said the borough of Spelthorne, to the west of London, has more in common with Mauritius than residents might imagine.

Staines, the borough's best known town, is only four miles from Heathrow, Europe's busiest airport, and Spelthorne's new twin borough Grand Port Savanne is home to Mauritius International Airport where flights carrying British holiday-makers land.

Mr Bhadye who was born in Mauritius but has lived in Britain for more than 40 years, said islanders are interested in learning from Spelthorne's waste management service but councillors also hope to pick up ideas from Mauritius.

"There are a lot of ideas that we can exchange," he said.

"None of the supermarkets in Mauritius give out plastic bags. They have been doing that since 2000. We are just getting into it and they are supposed to be a Third World country."

Mr Bhadye also praised the island's record of full employment as traditional industries growing sugar cane and tea have been joined by textile businesses and tourism.

The Mauritian High Commissioner approached Mr Bhadye about creating a link after the island celebrated the appointment of one of its sons as a British mayor.

He said the island's prime minister had offered to support the relationship and there would be no financial cost to Spelthorne.

"The only cost will be in officers' time dealing with the paperwork," he said.

Mr Bhadye, a Conservative councillor, said his close family no longer live on the island and would gain no benefit from the connection.

Liberal Democrats councillors have raised concerns about the twinning which was taken before the executive rather than full council as a matter of urgent business last month.

Lib Dem Tony Crabb said: "What concerns me is a decision was taken which is going to take some staff time.

"I'm concerned that there are other priorities for them."

Spelthorne has been twinned with Melun, in northern France, since 1990 and Mr Bhadye said Melun has also agreed to be twinned with the Mauritian borough.

Spelthorne has an annual budget of £2,000 for the link with Melun and does not intend to use any of that money for the new relationship with Mauritius.

Officials from Mauritius may be invited to celebrations next year of the 20th anniversary of the link with France.

In a letter to the council requesting the link, Grand Port Savanne District Council mentioned a battle between the British and French which took place in the Old Grand Port region in 1810 and is remembered in local museums. The French victory was Napoleon's only naval triumph over the British.

Mauritius gained independence from the UK in 1968 and now has a similar democratic structure.