HILLINGDON Council has cut its ties with a German town after more than 50 years.
The borough is 'twinned' with German towns Emden and Schleswig, and Mantes-la-Jolie in France.
The Town Twinning programme pre-dates the formation of Hillingdon Council and started as a way of improving relations with other European countries after the Second World War.
But in February, a council working group tasked with assessing how the programme could be improved found it was in administrative chaos, with no elected member to guide it.
At a cabinet meeting on Thursday, councillors agreed to cut the link with Emden.
The relationship with Schleswig and Mantes-la-Jolie will be developed.
Councillor Douglas Mills, cabinet member for improvement, partnerships and community safety, said: “It is a shame to say goodbye to old friends but it makes financial sense.”
He will be in charge of the development of twinning, which costs £8,700 a year and which will be reviewed annually.
If you are interested in town twinning, contact coordinator Howard Griffin on 01895 250310, or email hgriffin@hillingdon.gov.uk.
