MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TOURISM AND LEISURE SERVICES SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, 30 MAY 2001 COMMENCING AT 10.00 AM

Present :

Mr M G Barton (Chairman), Mr C P Boswell, Mrs M A Jarman, Mr V J Morey (as deputy for Mr D J Knowles), Mr A J Mundy, Mrs C T G Webb

Also Present (Non-Voting) :

Mr A C Bartlett, Mr A D Hollands, Mrs B Lawson

Apologies :

Mrs D Gardiner, Mr D J Knowles, Mr H Rees

RESOLVED :

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 18 April 2001 be confirmed.

78. REPORT FROM THE ISLE OF WIGHT PARTNERSHIP

Ventnor - Neighbourhood Management Bid

The Government had recently launched a new Neighbourhood Management programme as part of a series of initiatives to modernise local government, improve service delivery and tackle social and economic deprivation. The Isle of Wight was among the 83 eligible areas entitled to bid for the programme. Members received a presentation from Mr J Bentley, the Councils' Economic Development Manager and Ms R Barnard, who had been seconded from the Corporate Policy Team, on the bidding process and the selection of Ventnor, from the short-list of three potential neighbourhoods, as the area which best met the scheme criteria and the strategic priorities of the Island.

The Ventnor bid had been worked up following a four week intensive community consultation period which culminated in a formal presentation of the outline bid to the Government Office for the South East (GOSE). The bid focussed upon a number of key themes: Demonstrable need; multi-agency support; a "Ready to go" community. Whilst the new programme would provide additional funding, its primary aim was to make better use of existing resources. It was reported that a successful bid could be worth in excess of �3m over seven years. However, it was noted, that as the Government had announced there would be only 15 bid approvals, it would be an extremely competitive process. A decision was expected towards the end of June, with an opportunity to enter the second bidding round, at a date to be announced, for later in the year should the bid be unsuccessful.

The Local Member for Ventnor-1 Electoral Division requested that her thanks be recorded in the minutes to all those persons involved in developing the Island's bid. The application had generated enthusiastic support and team spirit from within the local community who, in partnership with service provider agencies working together at neighbourhood level, could take forward the proposals identified.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted.

79. REPORT OF THE MANAGING DIRECTOR, WIGHT LEISURE

Medina Theatre Fees and Charges for Registered Charities and Amateur Organisations

The report of the Managing Director of Wight Leisure was received setting out a number of changes to the fees and charges structure for Medina Theatre togther with six points of importance which also needed to be taken into consideration. The complex proposition which had received support from existing hirers following three consultation meetings, reflected the classification of Fridays and Saturdays as 'premium' nights. The changes also had significant effects on existing users who fell within the category of "Registered Charity or amateur presentation in which no professional/promoter/organisation is recompensed for their services" . The proposals, to be implemented over a six year period (Year 1 being 2002/03) would endeavour to ensure the subsidy was kept to its existing level and continued to offer community participation at a significantly discounted rate. However, any new user groups would be required to pay the proposed full rates with immediate effect.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted.

80. REPORT OF THE HEAD OF TOURISM SERVICES

Tourist Information Centre Technology

The Head of Tourism Services referred to his report updating the Select Committee on the work of the Working Group formulated to progress IT improvements within the TIC network in time for the main season. The Working Group had identified three main objectives:

� To update TIC technology to the minimum operating requirements to run the new Destination Management System (DMS)

�To upgrade existing data networks between Westridge and TICs to support improved telephone and data links

�To identify and procure a replacement for the current outdated DMS used by Westridge and TICs.

It was noted that the Select Committee had previously identified the bid for funding of the DMS upgrade project as a 'Priority 1' Capital Bid. However, all bids for funding of ICT proposals were to be considered as part of the overall ICT strategy. The Strategy, which had received the support of the Corporate Management Team at their recent meeting, was due to be presented to the Executive on 31 May 2001. The IT Manager explained in detail the principles applied to those bids recommended for approval in the ICT Strategy and the implications for funding due to the demand on the Invest to Save reserve. Members were minded that the bid to upgrade Tourism ICT should be considered in isolation to other bids due to the importance, in their view, of Tourism to the Island and expressed their intention to speak in support of the proposal at the Executive the following day.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted

CHAIRMAN