Agenda and minutes

Guy Kilminster, Libraries, Museums and Arts Manager, welcomed those present to the meeting.

He referred to the refurbishment of the Museum and to the current visitor figures since the museum re-opened at the end of January.

Matthew Beck, Managing Director, MAGNA, gave a presentation relating to future developments at MAGNA and the surplus Corus property either side of Magna.

A copy of the Templeborough Gateway Masterplan was displayed, which illustrated key sites, various elements of the masterplan and locations of the proposed facilities which included Business Vision Centre, business units, hotel; new entrance, restaurant & café/kitchens and event/conference space at Magna.  It was pointed out that implementation would depend on a partnership approach between Rotherham Borough Council, Magna Trust, Renaissance South Yorkshire and a potential developer.

Also Heritage Lottery Fund money had been bid for to improve the Steel Experience and a working party had been formed to look at developing that as a national heritage centre for steel working.

News had been received of funding for a further outdoor park/education area themed on the water cycle and disinfection system.  It was hoped that this would be ready by the summer.

A test track for a personal rapid transport system was to be built for Linear Motors, which was a South Yorkshire Company.  It was hoped that after testing this could be used as a leisure ride.

Joint working was also taking place between MAGNA and the museum to improve the tourism attraction of Rotherham and how to build both attractions together given links with the Walker family and iron working and also the links to the Roman fort.

Matthew was thanked for his presentation.

Caroline Wilson gave a presentation covering the following:-

(i)       the development of a Destination Management Partnership in South Yorkshire

It was reported that it had been agreed by the four South Yorkshire Local Authorities that this would be a public private partnership i.e. an arms length organisation, hosted by Sheffield City Council.  It was thought that the shadow board should be in place by late summer.

A paper looking at governance and marketing issues was being prepared by KPMG and would be submitted to the meeting of the South Yorkshire Chief

Executives as the funding would come from the local authorities.

The Shadow Board would operate at sub-regional level and would be private sector lead.  The Board would be responsible for the marketing priorities of the DMP, its location and staffing.  Marketing issues centred on brands and themes.  To start this process a draft marketing plan would be sent to Objective 1 for funding for the marketing strategy and for tourism promotion prior to the establishment of the DMP.

(ii)      Customer Care Training

Two Pilot schemes had been run across South Yorkshire for the hotel and hospitality sector.  90 people had been involved in Rotherham and Doncaster.  An evaluation of the pilot showed satisfaction with the training and that it was value for money.

(iii)      CoVE – this was the development of a hospitality and catering CoVE to produce qualified and skilled workers to meet the needs of the economy.  The aim was to increase and improve the skill levels of those already working in these fields and to develop these areas as a career.

An Employers’ Forum had also been set up to find out what local employers were looking for.

Work was also being undertaken with the Building Pathways Project to higher education focussing on hospitality and catering with an international element.

Questions:-

-                  would there be opportunity for consultation with the four Local Authorities before the presentation by KPMG on 25^th April?

The draft report should be ready by 20^th April

-                  How might Rotherham be represented on the Shadow Board?

This would be included in KPMG’s report.  It may be through advertising to select people for the positions or by proportional representation.

-                  how would the South Yorkshire tourism organisation fit with the Northern Way concept?

All the four South Yorkshire local authorities would work closely with adjoining areas.

-                  would there be funding for the South Yorkshire tourism organisation with the Northern Way framework?

The funding was by Yorkshire Forward.

Caroline was thanked for her presentation.

-                  Tourism Team

-                  Exhibitions

-                  Publications

-                  Walking Festival 2005

Julie Roberts, Town Centre, Markets and Tourism Manager, introduced Joanne Edley, Tourism Officer, who had joined Rotherham Borough Council in January this year.

Joanne reported on the following:-

(i)       Exhibitions and Events that had been attended or organised

-                  South Yorkshire Food and Drink Festival

-                  Winter Wonderland in the town centre

-                  Ice Magic – which had significantly increased footfall in the town centre

-                  Great Days Out Fair – for group travel organisers, at which the new Group Travel brochure had been launched

-                  Outdoor Show

(ii)      Future Events

-                  Continental Market – 19^th – 21^st May

-                  Rotherham in Bloom – with Greenspaces

-                  Walking Festival

-                  Royal Horticultural Show – Tatton Park

-                  Thorpe Salvin Garden Trail

-                  Rotherham by the Sea – August in the town centre

-                  Local Events  T I C

-                  Rotherham Show 10^th & 11^th September in conjunction with the Arts Festival

-                  New Visitor Guide – to be ready by end of April

-                  Group Travel Guide

-                  Update on the Website

(iii)      New Initiatives

-                  Tourism posters and displays

-                  Initiative to provide tourism information points in accommodation and at main attractions

-                  Bedroom browser leaflets

-                  Familiarisation visits

-                  Research work

-                  Further joint working e.g. with Magna, the Museum, the Butterfly House etc

(iv)      Value of Tourism

An economic impact study using the STEAM model had been carried out.  Draft figures were now available for 2003 which revealed that the overall value of tourism to Rotherham was £235m.  Day visits regenerated the highest proportion of expenditure at £1.84m and expenditure on tourism equated to 4,293 full time jobs.

(v)      Draft Tourism Plan 2005 to 2008

It was proposed that a draft of the Plan would be sent out to all Tourism Forum members for their comments.  Replies could be made by post or by Email.

The 7 key themes were:-

-                  to improve quality standards of Rotherham’s Tourism offer

-                  to improve the image and perception of Rotherham

-                  to improve the effectiveness of partnership working within Council services and within the industry

-                  to promote the Borough as a visitor location

-                  to encourage investment in the economy and provide increased jobs and attract inward investments that were sustainable

-                  to increase the skills base in the tourism associated area

-                  to provide a high standard of Tourism Information service and visitor centre

The Plan was being worked on at present and would be sent out to the Forum Members for consultation in April.

(vi)      Agenda Item for the next Tourism Forum

It was proposed that David Wilde, Local Agenda 21 officer, would be talking about energy savings etc for the management of businesses, and the Rotherham Partnership would be talking about the Rotherham Ambassadors Scheme.

(i)       Leisure and Tourism Cluster

It was reported that an event for schools had been held in November 2004 at Magna about areas of employment.  Representatives from the Council and local businesses were involved.  It was planned to hold a similar event next year.

There was good networking between Education and colleagues in industry (hospitality, catering, leisure and tourism) and the cluster carried out activities, shared good practice, arranged and shared resources of learning, contacted Awarding Bodies etc.

Work was in progress to develop Educational resources to go on the South Yorkshire Virtual Learning Environment.

Information on this would be brought to the next meeting.

(ii)      Oakwood Beer Festival

Was anything being done within the Council to give this event more publicity?

Joanne replied that the Tourism section had been working with the organiser.  The new Visitor Guide included a calendar of events and the Festival was included.  The Visitor Centre sold the Beer Festival tickets in advance of the event.  The event was also listed in the Website diary.  There were negotiations with the hoteliers regarding a festival rate for the weekend.  Further discussions and promotion of the event would be discussed between the organiser and the Tourism Staff.

There had also been links with the Wentworth Brewery and Riesa via the international links group to brew a beer for the festival.

It was proposed that the next meeting be held in either September or October 2005 at a venue to be decided.