MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PLANNING, TOURISM AND LEISURE SERVICES SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON TUESDAY, 27 MAY 2003 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM
Present :
Mr C R Hancock (Chairman), Mr J R Adams, Mr A C Bartlett, Mr J A Bowker, Mr J F Howe, Mrs B Lawson, Mr A J Mundy, Mr K Pearson, Mr R C Richards, Mr D G Williams
Portfolio Holders :
Mrs T M Butchers, Mr J H Fleming, Mr H Rees
Apologies :
Mrs M J Lloyd, Mr J Whittaker
Also Present (non voting) :
Miss H L Humby, Mrs M A Jarman
10. MINUTES
RESOLVED :
THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on the 28 April 2003 be confirmed
11. TOURISM ACTIVITIES UPDATE
The Select Committee received a presentation from Mr Hal Matthews, Marketing Manager and Mr David Brooks, Sales and Membership Manager of Isle of Wight Tourism. The presentation detailed the Tourism business briefing including fact and figures, marketing for 2003 and issues that affected tourism.
Members were advised that the Island received 2.5 million visitors per annum and the industry created 1 in 4 of all jobs. Officers were currently considering advertising campaigns for 2004. Members were informed that currently the Island advertised a whole image campaign that was designed to appeal to all age groups, Members then debated the merits of targeting one specific group of visitors compared to another.
Mention was made of tourist partners, concern was raised that there was no link between the tourist industry and Isle of Wight Economic Partnership.
RESOLVED :
THAT a strategic approach be developed between Isle of Wight Tourism and our partner organisations (including the Isle of Wight Economic Partnership) to enhance, develop and maintain our tourism industry.
12. CONSULTANTS REPORT - WIGHT LEISURE
The Select Committee received the report of the Head of Community Development and Tourism which provided the Committee with an update regarding the Consultants report on the externalisation of Wight Leisure. Due to the timescale it had not been possible for the Committee to receive the report at this meeting. It was advised that prior to its publication the Monitoring officer had to ensure that its publication would not prejudice any actions the Council may wish to take arising from the report and also that it would not create and liability to any party mentioned within it. The report would be considered at the Executive’s meeting on the 4 June 2003.
The Select Committee were disappointed that the report had not been available prior to the Executive’s meeting. Members questioned the need for the Monitoring Officer to check the content of the report given Mr Hall’s previous experience.
RESOLVED :
THAT the report be circulated to members of the Select Committee as soon as it was available.
13. THE ISLE OF WIGHT MUSIC FESTIVAL
Members received the report of the Head of Community Development and Tourism which presented the Isle of Wight Rock Festival report as considered by the Executive at its meeting on the 21 May 2003. The Executive report gave consideration to varying the terms of the Council’s agreement with Solo which made use of Seaclose Park as a venue for the festival in return for the Council having a number of tickets to sell and for the proceeds to be retained as detailed in the report.
In view of the potential financial implications if the Festival were not to proceed, the Select Committee supported the Executive’s decision.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Select Committee note and support the Executive’s decision as taken at its meeting on the 21 May 2003.
14. UPDATE REPORT INTO THE ISLE OF WIGHT MUSIC FESTIVAL
Consideration was given to the report of the Managing Director of Wight Leisure which provided the Committee with an update and progress report into the Isle of Wight Festival programme. Events over the 2 week period from 7 June to 22 June included :
* 189 Events of various sizes
* 40 venues taking part with the festival across the Island
* four Mini - festivals
* A two week youth programme including performances, master classes, workshops etc
* A two day Isle of Wight Rock Festival
* A comprehensive website
* The publication of 55,000 free festival brochures of which 43,000 will be distributed through the County Press.
Members noted that over 8,000 tickets had been sold for the two day festival. The 2 week festival was being advertised both locally and nationally and this had largely been funded by solo.
RESOLVED :
THAT the report be noted.
15. REGIONALISM - SUMMARY OF ISSUES
Members received the report of the Head of Corporate Policy and Communications which outlined the main issues regarding the Government’s agenda for the devolution of governance to the regions and the potential impact of this.
Since 1997 the Government had adopted policies to devolve governance from Whitehall. Both Regional Development Agencies (RDA’s) and Regional Assemblies (RA’s) were created as a first step towards Regional Government. Following their establishment in May 2002 the Government published a white paper that put forward proposals for regions to have directly Elected Regional Assemblies (ERA) whilst continuing to decentralise the administrative function. The implications of the decentralisation were highlighted. It was noted that the unitary boundaries for ERA’s had not yet been set and it was possible that the Island would be linked with Southampton, Portsmouth and the New Forest.
In discussion Members supported the need for the Island’s participation in the Regional Agenda consultation. It was also agreed that the need to raise awareness of the issues was paramount.
RESOLVED :
THAT the report be noted and the Committee actively support the Council’s participation in and response to the regional consultation.
16. FORWARD PLAN
RESOLVED :
THAT the Forward Plan for the period of June 2003 to September 2003 be noted.
CHAIRMAN