PAPER D

 

                                                                                                                                                      

 

Committee :    ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PLANNING TOURISM AND LEISURE SERVICES SELECT COMMITTEE

 

Date :              24 JUNE 2002

 

Title :               TOURISM SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT

 

REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE ISLAND 2000 TRUST

 

 


SUMMARY/PURPOSE

 

To secure funding for the establishment of a service level agreement between Isle of Wight Tourism and Island 2000 Trust for the development of sustainable tourism.

 

BACKGROUND

 

Island 2000 Trust have a successful track record in developing sustainable tourism projects in partnership with a wide range of businesses, funding organisations and Isle of Wight Council Departments.  In recent years, it has become clear that the already strong working relationship between Island 2000 Trust and Isle of Wight Tourism could become much more effective if it were brought closer together and formalised by way of a service level agreement.  The proposed arrangement is one of the main recommendations of the “Improvement Plan” developed through the “Best Value Review of Isle of Wight Council Tourism Services”, which was recently endorsed by this committee. 

 

OUTCOME OF CONSULTATIONS

 

The Best Value Review is the result of 12 months of detailed consultation with relevant stakeholders and, as already mentioned, this recommends that the funding should be identified to establish a service level agreement with Island 2000 Trust.  Isle of Wight Tourism has also received several letters of support from partner agencies who would value this approach towards the development of sustainable tourism on the Island.  Copies of these are attached. 

 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The service level agreement would cost in the region of £25,000 per annum.  However, in the last 2 years alone, Island 2000 Trust has brought in over £146,000 from outside sources for various tourism projects on the Island including successful initiatives like the Yar River Trail, Gift To Nature and the soon to be constructed Red Squirrel Viewing Hide in Parkhurst Forest.  Over £30,000 of this has gone directly to Isle of Wight Tourism to support marketing initiatives including this year’s Eating Out Guide and Sandown Bay “AONB On Your Doorstep” guide.  Inevitably, a closer working arrangement between the two organisations will mean that Island 2000 Trust’s fundraising ability can be even more effectively used to meet the priorities of Isle of Wight Tourism and to deliver co-ordinated outputs.

 

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

 

OPTIONS

 

1)         The Council could choose not to fund the service level agreement.  This would conflict with the recommendations of the Best Value Review and with Isle of Wight Council’s Corporate Objectives – one of which is to promote sustainable tourism.

 

2)         The Council could create a new post of Sustainable Tourism Officer within Isle of Wight Tourism.  This would miss the opportunity for partnership working with Island 2000 Trust and the ability to draw upon the Trust’s experience of fundraising and project development with a wide range of partners.  This would also conflict with the recommendations in the Best Value Review, which has been unanimously approved by the Select Committee.

 

3)         The Select Committee could recommend that funding is identified to create a service level agreement between Isle of Wight Tourism and Island 2000 Trust.  This would establish the Isle of Wight Council as one of the country’s lead authorities, seriously addressing sustainable tourism issues by creating an effective partnership between tourism and environment on the Island.

 

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

 

That the Select Committee recommends the adoption of Option 3 to the Executive Committee.  This would ensure that the necessary funding is identified within Isle of Wight Council to establish a service level agreement between Isle of Wight Tourism and Island 2000 Trust for the development of sustainable tourism.

 

BACKGROUND PAPERS

 

Please refer to the Best Value Review of Isle of Wight Tourism Services (TSR 3.4 (ii), p9).

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Copies of letters of support from relevant stakeholders are attached.

 

Contact Point :  Ian Boyd, Director, Island 2000 Trust, Tel 01983 822118 Email: [email protected]