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, 24 SEPTEMBER 2001 COMMENCING AT 9.00 AM

Present :

Mr D T Yates (Chairman), Mr J R Adams, Mr A C Bartlett, Mrs T M Butchers, Mr J H Fleming, Mr C H Lillywhite, Mrs M J Lloyd, Mr R G Mazillius, Mr A J Mellor, Mr R C Richards, Mr D G Williams

Spokespersons :

Mrs B Lawson, Mr H Rees

Also Present ( Non Voting) :

Mr V J Morey, Mr A J Mundy, Mrs S A Smart

Apologies :

Mrs M A Jarman

RESOLVED :

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 30 May 2001 be confirmed.

2. ISLE OF WIGHT TOURISM STRATEGY

The Head of Tourism Services presented the Isle of Wight Tourism (IWT) Strategy 2001, which had been developed to explain the necessary strategic planning involved to deliver a successful service for the tourist industry and provided a framework for business, corporate and personal development plans. The Strategy was based on a Government Strategy, launched 3 years ago, which had been modified to suit the island's needs and market place. The Plan identified a number of issues affecting tourism on the island and set out IWT strategic objectives for the next three years, from 2001 - 2003. The document, which would be reviewed annually, highlighted three main themes:

� why tourism was important to the island and what role tourism could play

� discussed the challenges and opportunities tourism brought

� identified strategic objectives for Isle of Wight Tourism

The Select Committee were advised that, while it was important to set out a programme for IWT, there was a need for a policy statement to be determined to inform all important stakeholders of the economic, environmental and commercial opportunities on the Island. IWT proposed, therefore, to co-ordinate the production of a Tourism Development Plan, in conjunction with the tourist industry and Isle of Wight Partnership. The document would be linked to the Council's Local Strategic Plan and IWP Regeneration Strategy and would set out how tourism infrastructure on the island should be developed, over the next 15 years.

During discussion of the Strategy, Members requested that a detailed financial statement on IWT be presented to the next meeting of the Select Committee.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the report be noted;

(ii) THAT a progress report on the production of a Tourism Development Plan be presented to the Select Committee in six months time.

3. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PLANNING, TOURISM AND LEISURE SERVICES SELECT COMMITTEE WORKPLAN

The Head of Select Committee Support referred to the Committee's Away Day on 3 August 2001 when a range of issues were identified as work priorities. After discussion with the Chairman and appropriate officers, these had now been programmed into a monthly workplan.

In consideration of the workplan, for meetings of the Select Committee between September 2001 and April 2002, a number of amendments were suggested. With regard to the Unitary Development Plan and the policy issues identified to be reviewed, it was suggested that some issues would be more appropriately linked with the Island Regeneration Strategy programmed in the workplan for February, which should also include the issue of Rural Tourism. Affordable Housing was identified as a cross cutting issue with Social Services and would need to be discussed by the Liaison Committee as to a way forward.

In the light of discussions earlier in the meeting, Members welcomed the proposal to bring a report on the planned Events Programme for 2002 to the next meeting of the Select Committee and for the Tourism Development Plan to be considered in April.

Members noted that the Workplan indicated Budget Scrutiny for consideration in the new year and queried as to whether this item should be bought forward to either the November or December meetings. The Head of Select Committee Support advised that the role of Select Committees with regard to the Budget was to be considered by the Liaison Committee later in the week, to ensure a uniform approach.

The need for a meeting in December was agreed when consideration of the two Best Value Reviews scheduled for 2001/02 covering Tourism and Economic Development could take place.

Following a suggestion by a member, the Isle of Wight Partnership agreed to organise a tour of innovative, new island businesses prior to the February meeting.

With regards to the Best Value Review of Wight Leisure the need for an Appraisal Group to be established was identified.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the draft workplan be approved subject to the following changes:

(a) The Events Programme for 2002 be considered at the October meeting;

(b) Issues identified for review, as part of the Unitary Development Plan, be linked, where appropriate, to the Island Regeneration Strategy;

(c) The Island Regeneration Strategy to take account of Rural Tourism;

(d) Affordable Housing to be referred to the Liaison Committee as a cross cutting issue with Social Services;

(e) The date for Budget Scrutiny to be agreed following the meeting of the Liaison Committee later in the week;

(f) A meeting of the Committee to be arranged for December;

(g) Tourism Development Plan to be considered at the April meeting.

(ii) THAT an Appraisal Group be established to progress the Best Value Review of Wight Leisure comprising of Cllrs Adams, Fleming, Humby, Jarman, Lloyd, Mazillius, Williams and Yates.

4. REVIEW OF APPOINTMENTS TO OUTSIDE BODIES

The report of the Director of Corporate Services was received setting out the procedure to be followed involving Select Committees with the appointment to outside bodies. Members were advised on a number of nominations which had been received since the preparation of the report. The Town and Parish Councils, where appropriate, would be advised of any remaining vacancies.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Executive be recommended to approve the following appointments to outside bodies:

CHAIRMAN