MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT , TOURISM AND LEISURE SERVICES SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, 18 APRIL 2001 COMMENCING AT 2.30 PM

Present :

Mr M G Barton (Chairman), Mr C P Boswell, Mrs A E Hewitt, Mrs M A Jarman, Mr D J Knowles, Mr A J Mundy, Mrs C T G Webb

Spokesperson :

Miss H L Humby

Also Present (Non-Voting) :

Mr A C Bartlett, Mr M J Cunningham, Mr J Effemey, Mr O C Huggins, Mrs A Leigh, Mr V J Morey, Mr R A Sutton, Mr A A Taylor

Apologies :

Mr H Rees

RESOLVED :

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 4 April 2001 be confirmed.

70. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Mr M G Barton and Miss H L Humby declared a non-pecuniary interest in Minute No 72.

71. URGENT BUSINESS

The Chairman agreed to the consideration of three items of urgent business as it was necessary to keep members apprised of the latest position. The Chairman proposed to consider the items updating members of the effects on tourism as a consequence of the foot and mouth crisis, the situation with regard to the reversal of the European Ombudsman's decision and Park Road Recreation Ground, Cowes later in the meeting.

72. PRESENTATION

The Cowes Yachting Survey 2000 had been commissioned by Cowes Yacht Club to explore the volume, value and economic impact of visitors and yachtsmen to Cowes and the Isle of Wight as a whole, arising from Cowes' association with yachting. Mr John Slater, Managing Director of the Southern Tourist Board who had undertaken the research, provided a presentation on the findings of the study. Representatives from Cowes Yacht Club were also present to respond to members' questions.

The Survey had been undertaken by way of a number of face-to-face interviews in Cowes, during the peak and shoulder periods between end of May and mid October 2000, of visitors and visiting yachtsman to Cowes due to the attraction of yachting. Separate postal surveys had been conducted of participants competing in Skandia Life week racing and the Hoya 'Round the Island' race. The findings of the survey were viewed in comparison with a similar survey conducted in 1992. The figures showed significant or more growth in all areas. Members were advised of a probable degree of margin in the 1992 figures. However, the 2000 results were considered to be robust and reliable in providing a comprehensive picture of the considerable contribution made, not just to Cowes, but the whole of the Island's economy and demonstrated the importance of nurturing and developing this valuable market.

In discussion, Members welcomed the findings. The growing competition by other destinations in the Solent to increase their share of the yachting market was noted. Members were of the view that in order for the Island to retain its status as a premier yachting destination further investment in Cowes was paramount. The need for a corporate strategy covering the next ten year period was highlighted, to provide direction and guidance for future development for all relevant partners and organisations.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the findings of the Cowes Yachting Volume and Value Survey 2000 be commended to the Executive;

(ii) THAT the Head of Isle of Wight Tourism be tasked with drafting a ten year strategy promoting Cowes as a centre for investment and development to the benefit of the Island's economy.

73. EFFECTS ON TOURISM AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE FOOT AND MOUTH CRISIS

The Head of Tourism reported on the work of the Tourism Task Force which had been established primarily to provide clear information during the foot and mouth crisis. A series of Guidance Notes had been produced for Isle of Wight Tourism and relevant businesses to disseminate to prospective visitors to the Island. Guidance Notes, Issue No 8, had now been prepared which provided up-to-date information about how visitors might be affected and included guidance for walkers. A Press Release had been issued welcoming the successful Easter Holiday campaign, spearheaded by Isle of Wight Tourism, which had highlighted that the Island remained 'open' for business. Members were pleased to receive the news that ferry and accommodation bookings had shown an increase on last year of approximately 10%.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted.

74. PARK ROAD RECREATION GROUND, COWES

Members were made aware of a number of broken glass bottles which had been found in the surrounding grass area of the children's playground, in Park Road Recreation Ground, Cowes. The Council's Contract Services Manager informed the Select Committee that the existing grounds maintenance contract was to be reviewed following the recent installation of skateboarding equipment in the park. In the meantime, arrangements had been made for the Council to carry out a litter pick on a daily basis.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted.

75. REVERSAL OF EUROPEAN OMBUDSMAN'S DECISION

The Director of Environment Services briefly advised the Committee on the background to the Council's complaint of maladministration, particularly emphasising that if Eurostat had accepted the UK Government's recommendation that the Isle of Wight should be a NUTS Level II area, the Island by virtue of its low GDP would have qualified for Objective 1 Structural Funding which would have considerably helped to improve the Isle of Wight economy.

Having examined in detail the Ombudsman's decision, a letter had been sent to him setting out interim observations and it was intended that a detailed response would be submitted to him by the end of the week. The Director indicated the nature of the response as being along the following lines:-

(a) There were fundamental flaws and errors of fact in the submission by the European Commission in December 2000 to the Ombudsman.

(b) The Council inexplicably were not given the opportunity to correct the erroneous information upon which the Commission were basing their arguments.

(c) The Ombudsman's decision had clearly taken account of and been influenced by the erroneous information.

(d) The rules of natural justice had not been applied and the Council had a genuine grievance about the procedure in the case.

(e) The Ombudsman should reopen the case.

(f) The Ombudsman's decision was unsafe and should be set aside.

The Director added that any appeal to the European Court of Justice could be an extremely expensive exercise and also very time consuming. It might be a few years before any decision were reached by the Court. The preferred strategy was therefore to seek to have the matter reopened. In addition, it was suggested that a meeting should take place between the Ombudsman, Councillor Rees, the relevant portfolio holder, with appropriate officers and Commissioner Barnier with his relevant officials, such meeting also to include Mr Roy Perry MEP having regard to his involvement in the case.

In debating the issues, the Committee observed that there were eleven MEPs for the south east area and that consideration should be given to inviting them to a meeting to discuss how the Council could best proceed with the issue. The Director advised that the MEPs had been kept informed of the previous representations.

RESOLVED

(i) THAT the report be noted.

(ii) THAT the Executive be recommended to give consideration to arranging a meeting with all eleven south east MEPs with a view to gaining their advice as to how the Council should best proceed, in addition to sending the detailed representations outlined by the Director.

76. MEMBERS QUESTION TIME

Cllr J Effemey, having recently returned from a visit to Scotland where he noticed a number items displaying Scottish national emblems for purchase in the TICs, enquired if patriotic material could be promoted in the TICs on the Island.

The Chairman requested for the Head of Tourism to make enquiries as to the viability of promoting such material.

Cllr A Leigh asked if there were any plans for a display board on information of businesses in the industrial estates of Riverway, Dodnor and St Cross as, at the moment, it was very difficult to locate the business required.

The Head of Select Committee Support agreed to investigate the matter and provide a written reply.

Mr M Cunningham requested confirmation that the Island flag was to be supported at this years Island Games. The Chairman responded appropriately.

CHAIRMAN