MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE TOURISM PARTNERSHIP HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON THURSDAY,20 JUNE 2002 COMMENCING AT 2 PM
Present :
Isle of Wight Council
Mrs M A Jarman (Chairman), Mr C R Hancock (Non Voting), Mr A J Mellor, Mrs S A Smart
Island Tourism Industry Association
Mr S Dabell (Non-Voting), Mr D Groocock, Ms J Saville, Ms O Glass, Mr S Stritton, Mr R Teasdale
Also in Attendance
Mr D Brooks - IW Tourism, Mr G Groves - IW Tourism, Mrs B Herbert - Corporate and Environment Services, Mr G Hughes - Honorary Treasurer, Mr H Matthews - IW Tourism
20. MINUTES
RESOLVED :
THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 11 April 2002 be confirmed.
21. ISLE OF WIGHT TOURISM UPDATE
The Directors received the report of the Marketing Manager, Isle of Wight Tourism advising of the activities undertaken by Isle of Wight Tourism since the last meeting of the Partnership. Particular mention was made of the Image Campaign and the Directors were provided with a powerpoint presentation which set out a summary of the overall campaign and an analysis of response findings. It was also reported that the Walking Festival had been well supported following good media coverage. Ventnor Town Council and Ventnor Business Association had expressed their support of the move of Ventnor TIC to the Coastal Visitor Centre. However, discussions were still ongoing to enable the move to take place prior to the end of the year. Directors were also referred to the large turnover of permanent staff during recent months.
Following a question from a Director expressing concern over the amount of time being taken to progress IT procurement for Isle of Wight Tourism, the Council’s Head of ICT provided an oral update on the situation to date. A member of staff from IW Tourism had been seconded to the project in order to expedite the work as rapidly as possible. However a number of issues still remained to be resolved. It was proposed that an informal meeting between representatives of ITIA and the Head of ICT be arranged to clarify the situation and to discuss the approach being undertaken. Following the agreement of the future organisational arrangements for Tourism Services, Directors of the IT Project Board would then be in a position to determine a robust Business Plan of a new IT system for Tourism, subject to approval by the District Auditor and the Councils’ Executive. The Directors expressed their support for the work to be conducted as a matter of some urgency, in order to facilitate the new system being in operation as quickly as possible.
It was reported that Mr S Dabell had been appointed by ITIA as their representative in refining the draft Tourism Development Plan. Once completed a copy would be presented to the Tourism Partnership. The Chairman reported on the success of the two week Isle of Wight music festival and in particular the Rock Island Festival which had attracted a large number of persons from the mainland. The Directors welcomed all types of activity which raised the profile of the Island but expressed their preference for any such similar event to not be held on a busy bank holiday weekend, in the future.
RESOLVED :
THAT the report be noted.
22. FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 31 MAY 2002
The Treasurer referred to his report providing a position statement of the old financial year, 2001 - 02 outturn and the current years’ expenditure and income to date. The end of year position for the financial year 2001 - 02 showed an underspend of £12,279, subject to any further year end transactions. With regard to the current financial year the only variance to date, of any significance, was an overspend on the Walking Festival for which provision had been set aside at the beginning of the year to offset this eventuality. Directors still felt that more clarity was possible in the presentation of the accounts and requested that measures be taken to adopt a more ‘user friendly’ style in the future. The Treasurer agreed to present a further budget update, in a revised format, to the September meeting of the Partnership.
RESOLVED :
THAT an updated financial position be presented to the September meeting of the Tourism Partnership.
23. ADVERTISING IN TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES (TIC’s)
The Council currently operated a policy which did not permit the display of literature in TIC’s where the advertiser was not a member of the Island Tourist Industry Association (ITIA). A request had been received from the Chairman of the Isle of Wight Visitor Attractions Association advocating that the policy be changed so to enable legitimate non members of ITIA to be allowed to use the services provided in TIC’s. Directors were made aware of the options available to them and debated who, if anyone, should be allowed to advertise in TICs and what lawful position the Council should take next.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Council be recommended to maintain the current policy for advertising in TIC’s.
24. THE FUTURE FOR TOURISM
The Chairman reminded the Directors of the decision taken at the meeting of the Economic Development, Planning, Tourism and Leisure Services Select Committee held on 13 June 2002 with regard to the future provision of Tourism services. Consideration had been given to three possible options and it had been subsequently agreed to recommend to the Executive to externalise the function to a trust or limited company. The Council would continue to maintain influence over the services provided through a Service Level Agreement. Representatives of ITIA expressed their support for the recommendations subject to adequate funding provision. In order for Directors to take an active role in the formation of an implementation plan it was proposed that a special meeting of the Partnership be arranged to discuss the relevant issues, following the ratification by Full Council on the 24 July of the recommendations.
RESOLVED :
THAT a special meeting of the Tourism Partnership be arranged to take place on Thursday, 25 July 2002 at 2.00 pm to give consideration to the future provision of Tourism Services.
25. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
(a) Election of Vice Chairman
Directors were advised of the notification received, immediately prior to the meeting, of the resignation of Mr S Dabell from the Board of Directors. The new Chairman of ITIA, Mr D Groocock would, with immediate effect, be appointed as his replacement on the Partnership Board. As a consequence the Directors were invited to make nominations for the Vice Chairman of the Board.
RESOLVED :
THAT Mr D Groocock be appointed as Vice Chairman for the remainder of the current year.
(b) MERGER OF SOUTHERN TOURIST BOARD AND SOUTH EAST TOURIST BOARD
Members were advised of the merger of the Southern Tourist Board and the South East Tourist Board. The inaugural meeting of the joint board was being held at the current time. No details with regard to the meeting had emerged
RESOLVED :
THAT the report be noted.
26. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
RESOLVED ;
THAT it be noted that the ext meeting of the Tourism Partnership be scheduled to take place on Thursday, 25 July 2002.
CHAIRMAN