MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE TOURISM PARTNERSHIP HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2002 COMMENCING AT  2 PM

Present :

Isle of Wight Council

Mrs M A Jarman (Chairman), Mr A J Mellor

Island Tourism Industry Association

Mr D Groocock, Ms O Glass, Mr S Stritton, Mr C Thie

Also in Attendance

Mr D Pettitt – Secretary, Mr D Brooks - IW Tourism, Mr C Mathews - Corporate and Environment Services, Mr H Matthews - IW Tourism, Mr J Metcalf – Head of Community Development and Tourism.

27. MINUTES

RESOLVED :

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 20 June 2002 be confirmed.

28. SECRETARY TO THE PARTNERSHIP

Mr David Pettitt, the Director (Designate) of Education and Community Development and now Secretary to the Partnership was introduced.

29. ISLE OF WIGHT TOURISM UPDATE

The Directors received the report of the Head of Community Development and Tourism updating the Partnership on number of issues.

On the issue of externalisation it was explained that ITIA were considering this issue in some depth and had two possible options emerging. It was anticipated that the final view of ITIA would be determined at its meeting in October.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted.

30. FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT END AUGUST 2002

On behalf of the Treasurer the financial position as at end August 2002 was presented. It was noted that a number of big expenditure items (most notably the production of the guides) had yet to work through the system hence the apparent underspending. Arising on this issue Mr D Brooks was thanked for being able to sell the space in the forthcoming guide.

RESOLVED :

THAT the financial position as at end of August 2002 be noted.

31. ISLE OF WIGHT – A FUTURE IN TOURISM

The Partnership received the report prepared by the Head of Community Development and Tourism that summarised the findings of the visionary/advocacy project for Isle of Wight Tourism as produced by Brightaspect Ltd.

The Partnership welcomed the report and its findings and considered that the Headline Messages as identified were correct however items 5, 6,7 and 8 should be given greater emphasis than the others as it was felt that these underpinned all the rest.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Headline Messages as identified by the Head of Community Development and Tourism be supported with items 5, 6, 7 and 8 being given greater emphasis.

31. ANY OTHER BUSINESS – CONGESTION CHARGES

The Chairman asked the ITIA members what their view would be if Congestion Charges were introduced in Portsmouth and Southampton. Their view was that they would have a serious effect on the Island Tourist Trade if those travelling to the Island had to pay these charges.

RESOLVED :

THAT the views expressed on Congestion Charges be noted.

32. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

RESOLVED ;

THAT it be noted that the next meeting of the Tourism Partnership be scheduled to take place on Thursday, 5 December 2002.

CHAIRMAN