QUESTIONS have been raised at Amesbury Town Council after the town’s mayor travelled to the USA as part of the twinning agreement.
Amesbury has now officially twinned with its American counterpart, Amesbury in Massachusetts – described as a “historic moment” by both sides.
The twinning came about after the Amesbury, Massachusetts mayor, Kassandra Gove, and representatives came to Wiltshire to sign the document.
But before this, Amesbury, Wiltshire mayor, councillor Dr Monica Devendran, took a trip to America to spend time with her USA counterpart.
Amesbury Town Council has now released a statement after some people questioned who actually paid for the transatlantic trip.
READ MORE: Amesbury twins with USA namesake in “truly historic moment”
READ MORE: Salisbury’s killer kerb in the spotlight as council claims no concerns raised through audit
The council said the trip was funded by cllr Devendran who was already in America for a business trip- and was not paid for through town council finances.
However, town council funds were instead used to pay for the civic reception.
Their statement reads: “In July the Mayor, cllr Dr Monica Devendran visited Amesbury Massachusetts and met with its mayor, Kassandra Gove ahead of the town twinning which took place on August 5.
“The town has a long-standing relationship with Amesbury Massachusetts, dating back to at least 1968.
“This visit and the reciprocal visit by mayor Gove on August 5 were designed to strengthen the ties and share all things good about both communities.
“The July trip coincided with the mayor being in the US on business. Amesbury Town Council funds were not used for the trip to Massachusetts; it was privately funded by the mayor, cllr Dr Monica Devendran.
“On August 5 the town council hosted mayor Kassandra Gove, this culminated in the twinning civic reception.
“The council agreed to twin with its sister town in Massachusetts, adopted a policy and allocated funds from its events budget to cover the costs associated with it.
“The twinning is hoped to increase tourism across the pond and share our heritage and mutual respect.”
Amesbury Town Council was contacted for clarification on how much the civic event cost the council.
I think it is wonderful that Cllr Dr Monica Devendren took the time and spent her own money to visit the town of Amesbury in Massachessets. I also think it is entirely right and proper that when the Mayor of Amesbury in Massachussets visited us, also under her own goodwill and funding, that the Town Council should lay on a decent civic reception with our own Town Band and other notables present. USA is a long standing Ally of the UK and without the USA we would all be under a totalitarian regime since the end of WW2. I was THRILLED to support this event. That we have a Mayor who wholeheartedly throws herself into her role, a larger than life charismatic personality who also gives free dentistry to people in less well off parts of the world and does a lot of good for our community.. Charity begins at home.. but it certainly does not end there. Well done to Amesbury Town Council for all of the brilliant work they do in their community, from the History Centre to the Twinning and all the other projects they tirelessly support