Three delegates from Port Macquarie-Hastings will attend celebrations in the Japanese city of Handa.
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Port Macquarie-Hastings Council and Handa City share a sister city relationship.
The Handa City mayor, Sumio Sakakibara, invited the mayor and two delegates to the eighth Handa Float Festival and celebrations to mark the 80th anniversary of Handa City from October 5 to 9.
The Handa Dashi Float Festival displays and celebrates Handa’s heritage.
The council endorsed the deputy mayor, Lisa Intemann, and Handa Working Group members Patricia Johnson and Bruce Hardy as council’s delegates.
Cr Justin Levido said the council needed to bear in mind the sister city relationship from a cultural point of view.
He said it was very important at times like this, especially when the invitation came from Handa, to show we took the relationship very seriously.
Cr Rob Turner said it was fitting for deputy mayor Lisa Intemann and Handa Working Group members Patricia Johnson and Bruce Hardy to attend.
Mayor Peta Pinson agreed the delegation of the deputy mayor, Ms Johnson and Mr Hardy was fitting on this occasion.
Cr Pinson said given she had been on extended leave recently, she felt it was fitting for her not to go to Japan for that four day period.
“In my position, I feel I have to give my full attention to the [mayoral] role in the lead-up to the end of the year,” she said.
“I’m very comfortable with that decision.”
The deputy mayor’s travel expenses will be covered from within the 2017-2018 mayoral budget.
The travel expenses for Ms Johnson and Mr Hardy will be a combination of funds within the 2017-2018 Handa sister city budget and a personal contribution from both Ms Johnson and Mr Hardy.
Any personal expenses will be the responsibility of each individual.
Handa City will cover the accommodation and meal expenses of the visiting delegates.
The decision was carried 8:1 with Cr Mike Cusato voting against.