MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PLANNING, TOURISM AND LEISURE SERVICES SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON MONDAY, 23 JUNE 2003 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM
Present :
Mr J R Adams (Vice Chairman in the Chair), Mr A C Bartlett, Mr J A Bowker, Mr J F Howe, Mrs B Lawson, Mrs M J Lloyd, Mr A J Mundy, Mr K Pearson, Mr R C Richards, Mr J Whittaker, Mr D G Williams
Portfolio Holder :
Mrs T M Butchers, Mr J H Fleming
Apologies :
Mr C R Hancock
Also Present (non voting) :
Mr M J Cunningham, Mr E Fox, Mrs M A Jarman, Mr R G Mazillius
17. MINUTES
RESOLVED :
THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on the 27 May 2003 be confirmed.
18. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - BEST VALUE IMPROVEMENT PLAN PROGRESS REPORT
The Select Committee received the report of the Head of Corporate Policy and Communications which provided Members with an update on the Economic Development Best Value Improvement Plan. The review had been completed in March 2002 at which time the Council’s Economic Development Unit was seconded to the IWEP. As Members were aware the Unit had returned to the Council in April 2002 and been subsumed into the Policy Unit in November 2002 and therefore in some areas the Improvement Plan had been over taken by events with change in role and responsibilities.
Members raised the need for further consultation which had not been undertaken since the original review. As the Best Value Review was complete any additional consultation would be undertaken by the Policy and Communications Unit.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Select Committee note the progress to date.
19. BEACHES BEST VALUE IMPROVEMENT PLAN - UPDATE
Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Community Development and Tourism which outlined the progress to date. It was noted that there had been areas of the plan that had not been implemented due to both capital and revenue budget pressures.
Some progress had been made with regard to vandalism. The process relied on members of the public reporting incidents to enable action to be taken. Partnership working with the police had been adopted and there had been some success of asking culprits and their parents to contribute to the repair of the vandalised area.
Discussion took place regarding the need to maintain some areas of attraction to a consistently high standard. Debate ensued regarding the use of resources. The Committee considered that within the confines of the budget, greater allocation of resources was placed in high attraction areas. Members considered the use of resources and the need to sometimes maintain popular attractions to a higher standard.
The Select Committee considered beach safety. With regard to the new beach byelaw, it was thought that this should finally be in place in 2004. The Committee considered that resources should not be spread so thinly across the Island, to ensure that the main areas of attraction are maintained to a high standard.
RESOLVED :
THAT an update report on the Beaches Best Value Improvement Plan be brought back to the Select Committee in September 2003.
20. THE MODERNISATION/EXTERNALISATION OF ISLE OF WIGHT TOURISM
The Head of Community Development and Tourism reported on the progress of modernising/externalising Tourism Services. Members were reminded that at its meeting on the 13 June 2002 the Committee had supported the externalisation of tourism services to a trust or limited company. Following the establishment of the new Tourist Board in January 2003 the Island had become a sub region. The Committee supported the Island’s involvement.
In discussion, with regard to marketing, the Committee considered branding of the Island and developing a clear identity. Mention was made of advertising in London, however the costs were too great. It was noted that the accessibility of the Island needed to be promoted.
RESOLVED :
THAT the report be noted.
21. UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES OF THE HAMPSHIRE, ISLE OF WIGHT, WEST SUSSEX BRUSSELS OFFICE
The Select Committee received a presentation from Mrs Daniella Terruso, European Liaison Officer based in the Brussels Office. The Committee had last received a report from the Brussels office on the 13 December 2002 outlining the history of the office, its role and function. Following this meeting members had requested that reports be brought back to the Select Committee.
During the debate, members identified the need to raise the profile of European issues both within the Council and on the Island as a whole. It was thought that the importance of decisions being taken in Europe was not widely understood.
The Committee were advised that as a member of the Regions, Mrs S Smart, the Leader of the Council had a key role in influencing policy which can effect future funding arrangements for regions and local authorities. The Island was also able to play an active European role through the Brussels Office Partnership, southeast groups and membership of the Conference of Peripheral and Maritime Regions (CPMR) and Arc Manche.
Current European initiatives included :
* The European Constitution with regards to how the Island’s concerns could best fit with the ‘Bigger Picture’
* Environmental Policy and the local authority’s ability to influence such policy
* The reform of the structural funds after the enlargement to 25 Member States.
Mrs Terruso emphasised the importance of Local Authority and the Regions involvement in policy making.
RESOLVED :
THAT Mrs Terruso be thanked for her presentation and the report be noted.
CHAIRMAN