Agenda and minutes

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting of the Tourism Panel held on 13^th July, 2009.

Resolved:-  That the minutes be approved as a correct record.

There were no matters arising from the previous minutes.

Stuart Jenkinson, Dearne Valley Green Heart Partnership, spoke to Members of the Panel about the Sustainable Tourism Project centred on the Dearne Valley, and provided a handout.

He explained that he was seconded from the Environment Agency to this project

The partnership comprised the Environment Agency, Natural England, RSPB, Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham Councils and number of other stakeholders, together with Yorkshire Forward and other organisations for specific schemes.

The partnership was also working closely with the Dearne Valley Eco Vision.

The key aim of the project was to provide environmental improvements to stimulate tourism, and this was through three main areas of activity:-

• Habitats and places

The partnership aimed to build on the success of existing green assets, with particular reference to the vastly improved quality of the River Dearne and to increases in fish and wildlife Green network;  RSPB Old Moor and the  Trans Pennine Trail.

It was proposed to enhance wildlife habitats, washlands, paths and cycleways and heritage features.  The washlands would be managed for wildlife, recreation (including canoeing) and for flood management.

• Green Network

The aim would be to encourage people to rediscover the country on their doorstep by improving access for all, with 15 miles of new routes identified based on connections to the Trans Pennine Trail and existing paths etc.  It was also proposed to create cycle hubs and promote the health benefits of activity.

• People and communities

The aim was to make the Dearne Valley a unique destination in South Yorkshire for outdoor recreation such as walking, cycling, bird watching and angling;  encouraging tourism to bring about economic benefits.

Funding would be from a variety of sources including Access to Nature (Lottery), Landfill Tax Credit scheme and European funding (ERDF).

Members presented raised the following issues:-

-                      funding available for flood alleviation

-                      land ownership

-                      the need to link with the Council’s Green Spaces Team

-                      interest and commitment of the other local authorities

-                      the growing media coverage of interest in the countryside

-                      inclusion in the Welcome to Yorkshire funding bid

-                      linkage with the new Park Inn hotel

Agreed:  That Stuart be thanked for his informative presentation and the Panel receive an update on progress in 2010.

The following items were raised:-

(i)                 2010 Canal Festival

Joanne Edley,  Tourism Manager, on behalf of Stuart Reaney, Chesterfield Canal Partnership reported on:-

“Next year’s festival on the Chesterfield Canal will be jointly hosted by the Chesterfield Canal Trust and the Chesterfield Canal Partnership.  The event will take place on the weekend of the 17^th18th July, 2010 on the sports field adjacent to Morse Lock, Worksop.  Agreement has been reached with Worksop Rugby Club regarding the use of the field.  Bassetlaw District Council will be making a significant contribution to the festival both in terms of helping with the organisation and in underwriting the cost.  The Festival Director, Rod Auton of the Canal Trust, will be in contact with the Tourism Department at Rotherham in due course to see whether you wish to attend with a promotional stand at no cost.  Whilst the event will be promoted nearer to the time in the usual way, it would be helpful if the tourism team in Rotherham were able to “spread the word” at this stage.”

It was reported that the event could be promoted on the Council website.

The Chair referred to the aspirations of the partnership and their desire to safeguard the line of the canal for the future.  The progress made over the years was acknowledged.  However reference was made to the legislation surrounding the Local Development Framework.

(ii)               Events at MAGNA

Matthew Beck reported on:-

Success of Fairs Fayre

Sports Personality of the Year at the Arena, Sheffield on 13^th November.  Magna would be hosting a Fashion Show with local sports personalities and being filmed by the BBC.

Saturday 12^th December  - A Have A Go Day – with local sports stars

2010 Food and Drink Festival – preparations and discussions with Rotherham Markets team

Corporate events:-  December 2009 - Aviva national conference ;  Kia car launch – January 2010;  November 2009 – BMW

(iii)             Dearne Valley College

Julie Williamson reported that the College had just been awarded the Matrix Quality Standard and wished to thank local employers, staff and students.

(i)                 Contribution of Rother FM

Noted.

Joanne Edley, Tourism Manager, to report.

Consideration was given to a report presented by, the Tourism Manager, which detailed the evaluation of the 2009 Walking Festival, held between 29^th June and 5^th July, 2009.

Information was presented regarding:-

-                      Number of walks

-                      Participants

-                      New routes

-                      Promotion

-                      Evaluation

Reference was also Boats and Boots Extravaganza held at Kiveton Park.

Consideration was given to the proposed 2010 event and to the event taking place at a different time of the year.  It was reported that bordering areas had been consulted about the date of their walking festival and it was suggested that Rotherham’s 2010 Walking Festival take place between 8^th and 16^th May, 2010.

This change of date would enable the Festival to link to a joint walk with the Peak District and the Chesterfield Canal, and to an event being arranged by the Sports Development team. It was also possible that the date of the Rotherham Round Walk could be changed and other events by the Hospice and Bluebell Wood may be able to be added in.

It was however pointed out that promotional activity for the Festival was subject to the agreement of the Strategic Communications and Marketing Group.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be received and the contents noted by members.

(2)  That the next Rotherham Walking Festival to be held from 8^th May to 16^th May 2010 and that this change of date be publicised in Rotherham News.

(2)  That the Tourism Panel supports the bid to the centralised marketing budget for the 2010 Walking Festival promotional activity.

Joanne Edley, Tourism Manager, to report.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Tourism Manager, relating to the end of life of the Rotherham Tourism Plan 2005-2008, and to the production of a Draft Visitor Economy Plan 2008-2013 in its place.

Reference was made to the consultation that had taken place with partners.

It was reported that the VisitBritain strategy had now been formalised.  It now needed Yorkshire South’s Business Plan to feed into Rotherham’s strategy.

Progress to date included;-

• Partnership work with Yorkshire South
• Welcome to Yorkshire
• Arrangements for the next meeting of the Tourism Forum, at the Park Inn, Manvers (7^th or 10^th December)
• Boston Castle – decision on the 2^nd stage bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund was expected in December
• Raising Quality Standards – current position outlined and responses from establishments noted

It was also reported that Yorkshire Forward, through its Business Engagement Executives, had made available grant money to rural accommodation establishments.  It was pointed out that this could include camp sites e.g. at Rother Valley Country Park.  A brief outline was given of the process for dealing with requests for grants.

Resolved:-  That the report be received and the contents noted.

For discussion.

Joanne Edley, Tourism Manager, reported on efforts to raise the % of establishments in the area to be assessed to 70% by the end of 2009.  She confirmed that 50% of the properties had been seen and a grant had been offered to assist with the process.  However, it was reported that many remained uninterested after the first year.  It was pointed out also that it was not a legal requirement.  It had been practice that only establishments that had been assessed would be included in advertising issued by the Tourism Service.

Those present discussed Quality standards and the policy of promoting assessed accommodation only.

Resolved:-  That it be confirmed that the present practice of only including establishments that had been assessed in advertising issued by the Tourism Service should continue.

Joanne Edley, Tourism Manager, to report.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Tourism Manager, detailing the support given by the Tourism Service to the Heritage Open Days in Rotherham during 2009.

It was pointed out that the event in 2009 was the same weekend as Rotherham Show.

Heritage Open Days took place at 22 venues between 10^th and 13^th September and received approximately 3,000 visitors.  In particular Swinton St. Margaret’s Church, in conjunction with its Flower Festival, attracted 1,500 visitors.

A promotional leaflet was produced and the event was advertised on the web page.  It was pointed out that a bid would have to be made to the central promotional budget for the 2010 event.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be received, and the success of the Heritage Open Days be noted.

(2)  That the bid to the central promotional budget to promote Heritage Open Days in Rotherham in 2010 be supported.

Janet Fletcher, Assistant Events and Promotions Manager, to report.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Tourism Manager, relating to the results of the annual Mystery Shopper exercise undertaken by Visit Britain in relation to the Tourist Information Centre.

Reference was made to the positive comments made in respect of:-

-                      Telephone enquiry

-                      Face to face enquiry/interaction with staff

-                      Email enquiry

-                      The overall good score

Reference was also made to the following recommendations set out in the  Executive Summary of the report:-

• provision of information leaflets re:  public transport:  it was reported that this had been agreed with the SYPTE-
• changing the facia and signage of the building: - noting that the Tourism Manager intended to challenge this
• encouragement to purchase additional services and products
• automated acknowledgement for all email enquiries:-  it was pointed out that the Service was not in a position to action this recommendation at this time

Resolved:-  That the report be received and contents noted.

The following issues were reported:-

(i)                 production of Rotherham Mini Guide – Fun, Exciting, Welcoming

copies of the leaflet were made available at the meeting, and received good comments from Members present.

(ii)               Yorkshire South Tourism – update

Councillor Boyes and Tom Waldron-Lynch gave an update in respect of the current position of the local authority in relation to Yorkshire South.  Reference was made to change of personnel/management and to significant meetings taking place shortly to sort out governance.

Reference was also made to Welcome to Yorkshire being the funding body, having been given the tourism funding from Yorkshire Forward.  Concern was expressed about how local authorities could have a voice, together with the role of elected members.  The private sector also expressed concerns about % payments.

It was also pointed out that the Tourism Service, together with the industry representatives had received very short notice to put together a business plan/bid to Yorkshire South.

The opinion was expressed that the TV promotion of Yorkshire was going very well and the schemes and vouchers were also working well.

It was reported that to date at least 5,000 jobs were supported in Rotherham that were related to tourism.

To consider:-

Monday, 30^th November, 2009 at 2 p.m. or Monday, 1^st February, 2010 at 2 p.m.

Resolved:-  That the next meeting of the Tourism Panel take place on MONDAY, 18^th JANUARY, 2010 at 2 p.m. at Bailey House (room to be confirmed).