56.
MINUTES
RESOLVED :
THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 December 2003 be confirmed.
57.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Mr R C Richards declared a personal interest in the agriculture
and rural development section of the Brussels Office report in minute 58.
58.
UPDATE ON
ACTIVITIES OF THE HAMPSHIRE, ISLE OF WIGHT, WEST SUSSEX BRUSSELS OFFICE
The Chairman welcomed Daniella Terruso, European Liaison Officer
based at the Brussels Office who represented the interests of the Isle of
Wight, Hampshire and West Sussex Councils.
Her report referred to activities undertaken since the last report in
June 2003.
Members were made aware of work to strengthen the activities and
links of the three authorities. This
would assist in the flow of information and help to avoid duplication where
possible.
Miss Terruso outlined current and future major activities within
the key areas of the reform of EU regional policy, Environment, Governance and
regionalisation, Health and social care and Agriculture and rural
development. The Select Committee was
made aware of the involvement of both the Leader of the Council and the
Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, UK and EU Regional Issues in
European issues. The Chairman referred
to the weekly Euroflash that he received which he found of interest. The circulation of this could be extended to
all interested members. Members noted
that Hampshire and West Sussex County Council’s received regular reports from
the Brussels Office. A different
approach to this was undertaken by each Authority and it appeared that their
Scrutiny Committees were not involved in the process.
The Select Committee was given an outline of funding obtained
through EU initiatives. Members
believed there was a need to emphasise the direct benefits that the Island
received. The Portfolio Holder
indicated that based on the most recent information the Island attracted grant
aid of £28.00 per head of population compared with £3.00 for other parts of the
region.
RESOLVED :
(a) THAT
the list of benefits for the Island arising as a direct consequence of the
activities of the Brussels Office be sent to all members, and such details be
included in future reports.
(b) THAT
officers ascertain what monitoring activities are undertaken by Select
Committees in Hampshire and West Sussex of the Brussels Office.
(c)
THAT the
weekly “Euroflash” be forwarded to all members of the Select Committee.
59.
TOURISM
The Chairman explained that the reports of the Head of Community
Development and Tourism relating to :
(i)
Tourism
Development Plan Update
(ii)
Partnership
Arrangements with Tourism South East
(iii)
New Policies
for Tourism
were interlinked and he proposed to deal with the three issues as
one item. He welcomed four Key
Stakeholders who had been invited to comment on the three papers. Those were :
Mr S Dabell – Chairman of the interim sub-regional committee of
TSE and Tourism Champion for the LSP.
Mr D Groocock – Chairman of the Island Tourist Industry
Association, Isle of Wight.
Mr H Boynton – The interim Isle of Wight sub-regional Director of
TSE
Mr D Shirley – TSE representative on the interim sub-regional
committee of TSE and also Chairman of the Isle of Wight Visitor Attractions and
Accommodation Association
The Head of Community Development and Tourism, in introducing the
three reports, referred to consideration being given by the Local Strategic
Partnership on the development of tourism.
A number of key priorities had been identified and these would be
valuable in the production of a revised Tourism Development Plan.
In respect of Partnership arrangements with Tourism South Ease the
Select Committee had requested to be updated prior to the matter being
considered by the Executive. The Head
of Community Development and Tourism referred to the restructuring of the
Southern and South East Tourist Boards into one new Board which would trade as Tourist
South East (TSE). The Island had been
identified as one of its six sub regions.
An outline was given of the arrangements for a permanent Committee for
the Isle of Wight which would replace existing structures.
The Stakeholders were then invited to advise the Select Committee
on their views relating to reports. Mr
Dabell welcomed the proposals and indicated that there were still a number of
important issues to resolve. He
explained that it was the intention of the Island Tourist Industry Association
(ITIA) to merge with the Chamber of Commerce to provide a stronger partnership
of Island businesses.
Mr Boynton referred to the importance for the Island to have its
own sub group under TSE. He advised
however that the responsibility of the TSE was for the whole region and a
decision taken by it may not be in the best interests of the Island.
Mr Groocock stressed the need to move forward with a Tourism
Development Plan which incorporated sustainable tourism and recognising that
quality was an important issue to address.
Mr Shirley welcomed the clarity being brought to a range of
tourism issues. He questioned the basis
of discounts given by Isle of Wight Tourism for services provided, a separate
package based on the display of leaflets at Tourist Information Centres and the
controversial matters relating to service provision.
The Head of Community Development and Tourism indicated the basis
upon which the proposed service packages were designed. Negotiations were still ongoing on the range
to be offered and any discounts made available for members of particular
groups. It was noted that space at a
number of TIC’s was limited and this necessitated supplies of leaflets to be
distributed centrally from Westridge. The ability of a group of independent businesses
to undertake separate marketing initiatives would be retained. The Select Committee considered that it was
not appropriate for it to become involved in operational details and this
should be left to officers and representatives of the industry to discuss.
The Head of Community Development and Tourism outlined the
timescale for the appointment of a new Head of Tourism. It was intended to hold interviews for the
shortlisted candidates on 26 and 27 January 2004. Once in post the postholder would be expected to complete the
revised Tourism Development Plan within a six month period. Discussion took place on the e-Destination
Management System which was due to go live on 1 April 2004. This would also provide internet listing,
web page listing and hyperlinks to businesses own web sites.
Members raised the importance of transport in tourism. There appeared no formal links between the
Tourist Industry and the Quality Transport Partnership. With regard to the provision of appropriate
training courses for those involved in the tourist industry it was noted that
this was improving, particularly with the independent providers and geared to
the requirements of businesses. The
Stakeholders believed that general business training should be seen as a standard
requirement for all concerned, irrespective of size or nature.
The Stakeholders recognised the difficulties faced by the Council
in setting its precept and the support provided for tourism particularly as it
was not a statutory requirement. It was
a key industry worth approximately £312m
which was a vital aspect of the Island’s economy.
The Chairman thanked the Stakeholders for attending the meeting
and making a valuable contribution to the debate.
RESOLVED :
(a)
THAT the
delivery of a Tourism Development Plan, which includes tangible and measurable
targets, be supported.
(b)
THAT the aim
of achieving a single membership organisation representing all spectrums of the
Island’s tourism industry be supported.
(c)
THAT the
stakeholders be invited back to the Select Committee in 12 months time to
evaluate the effectiveness of the new DMS system, progress on the Tourism
Development Plan and the new structural arrangements for tourism.
60.
ISLE OF
WIGHT COUNCIL’S FORWARD PLAN – JANUARY 2004 TO APRIL 2004
Consideration was given to the Forward Plan for the period January
2004 to April 2004.
RESOLVED :
THAT the contents be noted.
61.
MEMBERS’ QUESTION TIME
A question was asked on behalf of Miss H L Humby in relation to
the funding of decorative lighting in Sandown.
The Head of Community Development and Tourism indicated that he would
provide a written reply direct to Miss Humby.
CHAIRMAN