Senor Jonito Jone, the Beira based head of the election commission for Sofala Province, visited Bristol last week as the guest of Bristol City Council and the Bristol Link with Beira. Senor Jone is no stranger to the city, having undertaken a two week residency at Henbury school in 2000 when he was the head of Beira's large technical college. Senor Jone's programme included observing the local and European elections, meeting electoral officers and visiting polling stations. He is taking a keen interest in the effects of the Parliamentary expenses row on voter turnout and local politics. He has also had a chance to share his Mozambican experiences with senior city council officers and he was the guest of honour at the Beira Link's potential trustees evening. Senor Jone is a big supporter of the twinning with Bristol and has assisted many of Bristol's volunteers over the years.

Would your authority benefit from the opportunity to share international expertise on a challenge that you are facing? Could your council offer technical skills and knowledge that could benefit other councils?

The Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) is excited to announce that funding has been received from the Department for International Development to enable the 3rd phase of the Good Practice Scheme (GPS)to be launched. Applications for this third phase are now open.