PAPER F
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PLANNING, TOURISM AND LEISURE SERVICES SELECT COMMITTEE – 14 APRIL 2005 TOURISM
BROWN SIGNS TASK GROUP UPDATE REPORT JOINT
REPORT OF THE PORTIO HOLDER FOR TRANSPORT AND THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR
TOURISM AND LEISURE |
At the Select Committee meeting held on Thursday, 10
February 2005, it was agreed that a Task Group should be set up to scrutinise
the recent Tourism Brown Sign Review carried out by the Highways
Department.
A revised Tourism Signing Policy had been drafted, in an
attempt to address the unacceptable low standard and over proliferation of
tourist information signs, and the inability of the Authority to adequately
maintain them. The Task Group was asked
to scrutinise the draft policy and submit recommendations to the relevant
Portfolio Holders so that a decision could be taken under delegated powers.
The Tourism Brown Signs Review Task Group met on Thursday,
17 February 2005 at the Westridge Leisure Centre. Following a presentation provided by the Head of Tourism,
detailing the information gathered during the Review and the results of the
Consultations undertaken, the Task Group was asked to submit recommendations to
the relevant Portfolio Holders to enable a decision to be taken under delegated
powers.
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ACTION REQUIRED BY THE SELECT COMMITTEE To note the results of the Tourism Brown Sign Review, the
recommendations submitted to the relevant Portfolio Holders, and to support
the revised Brown Signs Policy. |
A comprehensive review of all the existing Tourism Brown
Signs on the Isle of Wight had previously been commissioned by the Head of
Tourism. Aspects of the Review
concerned:
In addition, the Brown Signs Policy was considered
inappropriate and therefore required a complete revision. The revised Draft Brown Signs Policy will
contribute to the delivery of targets under Theme 1 of the Community Strategy,
Guaranteeing the quality of life and sustainability, and Theme 6 of the
Community Strategy, Developing Tourism.
The Select Committee may wish to note that following the
recommendations submitted by the Tourism Brown Signs Task Group a decision was
taken under delegated powers on Friday, 11 March 2005 approving the revised
Brown Signs Policy.
Consultation has been undertaken
with representatives of Isle of Wight Tourism, Wight Leisure, Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty, Places of Interest and Leisure Activity
Association, Visitor Attraction Accommodation Association, Isle of Wight Chamber
of Commerce Tourism and Industry and the local Highway Authority.
Representations regarding the draft
policy have been received from AONB, Wight Leisure, CCTI and the Isle of Wight
Council Conservation and Design Team Leader.
The costs associated with the introduction
of the proposed Policy are intended to be self-financing by income generated
from the application, supervision and provision of signs. The costs associated with the bi-annual
audit of signs are to be met from existing Tourism budgets.
The Isle of Wight Council as
traffic authority may cause or permit traffic signs to be placed on or near a
road, subject to and in conformity Traffic Signs Regulations and General
Directions 2002. A traffic sign is
exempted from Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations
1992 and therefore does not require express or deemed consent of the Local
Planning Authority. The Traffic
Authority may charge for the cost of the erection of the signs by virtue of
Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.
Draft Isle
of Wight Council Tourism Signing Policy 2005.
Notes of
the Tourism Brown Signs Review Task Group meeting held on 17 February 2005.
Report
Contact
Point: Nigel Smith, Head of Tourism Tel: 823871 / Email: [email protected]
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COUNCILLOR
PETER HARRIS Portfolio
Holder for Transport |
COUNCILLOR
JOHN FLEMING Portfolio
Holder for Tourism and Leisure |