Agenda and minutes

Those present considered the appointment of a Chairman.

Agreed:-  That Councillor Smith be appointed Chairman of this Panel for 2008/2009.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting held on 14^th July, 2008.

Resolved:-  That the minutes be agreed as an accurate record.

The following issues were reported:-

(i)  “Love Music – Hate Racism” event at Magna

Matthew Beck reported that this had been a successful event with 4,000 tickets sold.

(ii)               Rotherham Show

Marie Hayes reported on the success of the Show despite the inclement weather with over 45,000 visitors.

(iii)             Steelos

Mattew Beck requested more information from Lizzi Alageswaran.

(Councillor Boyes declared a personal interest in the above item)

Richard Jones, Chief Executive Yorkshire South Tourism, to report.

Richard Jones, Chief Executive of Yorkshire South Tourism, reported on the following:-

• 16^th September – Event UK Business Tourism Conference Exhibition in Birmingham – 10 stands from partners

• 24^th September – International Group Leisure Show – Rotherham staff involved

• SPJ Insurance Brokers – featuring MAGNA

• 400 Media packs issued – 20 responses received

• Article in the Essex Chronicle

• Value of the press coverage since April 2008 – in the region of £2.2m (not including any on-line)

• Up date of Website – 2 million hits which showed that the US was the top source country

• Visitor Guide had recently been published

• Winter newsletter to be published shortly

• Business Tourism Ambassador Scheme:-  this had been launched at the University of Sheffield and with the Doncaster Chamber.  It was planned to be launched with Doncaster College in October, to be followed by RCAT and Rotherham Chamber on 10^th November.  Currently a 135 people were involved.  Dearne Valley College would be involved at Stage 3.

• 2009 Triathlon Event – an approach had already been made by the organisers to hold the event at Rother Valley Country Park again and this had been agreed in principle.  Reference was made to the value of the press coverage this year’s event received.

• Steelo’s – a meeting took place recently with the BBC about the Worsbrough Mystery Play Cycle and the opportunity was also used to discuss the Steelo’s project.  A further meeting had been arranged with a Commissioning Editor for BBC 4 Satelite Service who would like to look at the Steelo’s project with a view to filming performances and with a possible repeat on BBC 2.  Further discussions were needed with Lizzi Alageswaran.

The Chairman thanked Richard for his update and the excellent news reported.

Matthew Beck reported on an offer of free training for the hospitality sector which was being made within South Yorkshire.

He reported that he had registered 24 staff from MAGNA including front of house, catering, shop and enabling staff on Customer Care training next week.   The training was for 4 weeks over a period of 2 months.  There was further management training also offered.

Agreed:  That the Carlton Park Hotel is to be informed of the availability of this training.

Michelle Mellor, Assistant Tourism Officer, to report.

-           to report the findings of the survey.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by Michelle Mellor, Tourism Officer, detailing the results of the evaluation of the Walking Festival 2008.

Reference was made to new walk routes and initiatives introduced this year e.g. Boats and Boots.

The following statistics were noted:-

52% response from participants (48% chose not to complete the survey)

How customers found out about the walks:-  62% from the brochure; 3% from the press;  3% from the website;  10% from the Visitor Centre and 21% from other sources

Origin of participants:-  64% from Rotherham area;  26% from South Yorkshire;  5% from other areas (4% did not respond).  People from other areas had travelled from Derbyshire, Lancashire, Manchester, Nottinghamshire, Liverpool and Gloucester.

64% had attended a previous Walking Festival;  33% had not.  (3% did not respond)

95% indicated they would take part in a 2009 Festival

90% said their walk was good or better;  65%  excellent ;  34% good (1% did not respond)

A higher number of participants were female

8% were disabled

35% were aged between 50 to 64 years;  27% 65+;  18% 45 to 54;  9%35 to 44;  4% 25 to 34;  2% under 25

91% were White British, White Irish or Other White background

1% from Indian and Pakistani origin

(8% did not respond)

It was emphasised that the Festival was financed from existing budgets, with walks lead by Volunteer Leaders, and some Officers from the Rights of Way and Green Spaces Units of the Council. The Events and Promotions Team had provided First Aid staff.

Also as part of the Walking Festival collections had been made which had raised £280 for the Mayor’s Charity and arrangements had been made for a cheque to be presented to the Mayor on 30^th September.

It was noted that 2009 would be the 10^th Anniversary of the Festival.

Reference was made to the amount of publicity received from the event and the need to evaluation this.

Agreed:-  (1)  That the report be received.

(2)  That the 2009 Walking Festival be supported.

(3)  That an evaluation of the value of the publicity received on the Walking Festival be undertaken and a report submitted to a future meeting of the Panel.

Joanne Edley, Tourism Manager, to report.

Joanne Edley, Tourism Manager, reported that this was the first time that the Council had supported this event.

The Panel was provided with a copy of a leaflet which had been produced to promote the event which included 20 attractions in Rotherham which had been open to the public over the weekend.

The event had included:-

• Sheffield canal boat trips
• Ferham House
• Whiston Parish Church
• Provision of free transport from Meadowhall to the South Yorkshire Transport Museum
• Guided tours from Rotherham Minster
• Staffing of the Chapel of Our Lady on the Bridge

It was reported that over 500 people had taken part.

Reference was made to TV coverage, especially the Chapel on the bridge which was chosen for the launch for the weekend in Yorkshire by English Heritage.

It was reported that the event was considered excellent value for money.

Matthew Beck reported that MAGNA had also been involved for the first time and had provided free steel tours of which attended by 98 people.

Members of the Panel also discussed the following:-

• Links to the Town Hall Open Day with the possibility of opening on two separate days in 2009
• Museum
• Transport around the town e.g. a land train

Agreed:-  That the success of the event be noted.

Joanne Edley, Tourism Manager, to report.

Joanne Edley, Tourism Manager, reported on a proposal to make discount vouchers available for November for local attractions and accommodation sector for the period when they were not normally busy.

It was proposed that the vouchers would be printed within a leaflet.  This was being done in conjunction with Rotherham Advertiser.  Attraction that had currently expressed an interest included MAGNA, Super Bowl, Virtual Ice, Grange Park Golf Course.  It was likely that the vouchers would be 2 for 1 or a discount on accommodation.

The campaign would be assessed and if successful it would be re-run in the Spring 2009.

Matthew Beck reported that MAGNA at Christmas time would be offering that every child visiting Magna would be free.

Agreed:  That the initiatives be welcomed.

Michelle Mellor, Assistant Tourism Officer, to report.

Michelle Mellor, Assistant Tourism Officer, reported on the results of Rotherham in Bloom 2008.

It was explained that the scheme comprised the following categories:-

-                      Faith buildings

-                      Tourism businesses

-                      Town Centre

-                      Villages

-                      Parish Councils

The Awards Ceremony was scheduled for 23^rd September, 2008.

A general comment was made about other sites around the Borough which were not being planted or well maintained.

Agreed:-  That full details of the winners , together with an evaluation of the competition, be reported to the next meeting of the Tourism Panel.

The following issues were reported:-

(i)                 Tourism Update

Joanne Edley, Tourism Manager, reported on:-

-                      Updating and completion of the Rotherham Visitor Economy Plan

-                      New tourism developments

-                      Quality Standards

-                      Visitor Centre activity

-                      Promotional activity

-                      Guides produced

-                      Heritage Open Day

-                      Local Residents’ Campaign

-                      Walking Festival

-                      Signage

-                      Tourism Information Points

-                      Tourism Forum planned meetings

-                      Rotherham in Bloom

-                      Rotherham’s input to Yorkshire South Tourism

-                      Advice and guidance provided to other service areas

-                      Exhibition stands

-                      International links

-                      Proposed work, including a town centre trail leaflet;  joint work with Barnsley

-                      Buy Local – list of local providers;  reference was made to a group of local artists based at Swinton Lock Activity centre

(ii)               Town Centre Events

Dawn Campbell, Events and Promotions Officer, reported on the following:-

• Last Night of the Proms
• Cultural Olympiad – 26^th & 27^th September, 2008 – including ceramics workshops and activities;  music and dance; bands and choirs

A full report would be submitted to the Town Centre Events Group.

MONDAY, 20^TH OCTOBER, 2008 at 2.00 p.m. at the Town Hall, Moorgate Street, Rotherham.

It was reported that the proposed date of the next meeting of the Tourism Panel clashed with the Co-ordinating Group of Rother Valley West and would affect Members’ attendance.

Agreed:  That future meetings dates be identified and discussed with the Chair of the Tourism Panel and members of the Panel be notified of the proposed date for the next meeting.