Agenda and minutes

Attendees were welcomed by Julie Williamson from the College and Joanne Edley, RMBC Tourism Manager, and were invited to enjoy the buffet, tea and coffee etc which had been provided.

Grace Rogerson invited Forum Members to a tour of the College facilities for travel, tourism and sports studies.

Julie Williamson, Head of Division for Leisure, Public Sector Travel and Tourism, welcomed Forum Members to Dearne Valley College.

Julie gave a brief history and background to the establishment and development of the college from 1976 to the present day.

Reference was made to the good reputation of the College with OFSTED and to the good student achievement record.  The Division worked in partnership with employers and the Learning and Skills Council.  OFSTED would be visiting the Division on 22^nd and 23^rd January, 2008.

A pack of information about the College, including details of free of charge courses, was provided for attendees.

The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as a true record.

It was reported that the Rotherham Tourism Service had been granted Charter Mark.

(i)                 South YorkshireTransport Museum

Bernard Jones reported that the Museum had been awarded a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to develop a display bus to visit schools and public events (e.g. Rotherham Show) in all four South Yorkshire districts.  The money would also be used to refurbish a couple of double decker buses from the 1950’s/60’s which would be used to transport children from schools to the museum, and these would also operate heritage tours in South Yorkshire.  It was also planned to develop the website and to create an oral archive of people’s experiences of working in any branch of the industry e.g. taxis, heavy goods, train, bus etc, and the Museum was looking for volunteers to be trained to interview people.  It was explained that the museum did not have the means to video people or to display that information.

(ii)               International Links/Twinning – 5 day Musical Event – 30^th June to 4^th July, 2008

Natalie Hunter reported on work to organise this event with the Council’s twin town St. Quentin and other European cities with which it had links – Rieza in Poland and Cluj in Romania.  The event would be funded from EU sources and organised in conjunction with Rotherham Schools Music Service.

A request was made to accommodation providers for discounted rates.

Venues were currently being sought.

RCAT offered their academy facilities.

(iii)             Rother ValleyCountry Park

Ian Dixon reported on the following events which were being held at the Country Park:-

-           Rotherham Triathlon Festival – 31^st May and 1^st June, 2008 – sponsorship was being sought

-           Party in the Park – 26^th and 27^th July, 2008

-           3 Charity Dragon Boat Racing events

-           Jetski Championships

-           Team building programmes in conjunction with the Holiday Inn

Full details could be obtained from the Park.

Natalie mentioned that Riesa also held a Dragon Boat Race so there could be an opportunity for links.

Joanne Edley, Tourism Manager, reported on the members of the Forum who were now representatives on the Council’s Tourism Panel which met with Elected Members.

A list of names and contact details was attached to the papers.

In addition it was reported that the new Manager of Hellaby Hall Hotel – Tom Waldron-Lynch had now been included.

It was explained that the Panel’s Terms of Reference only allowed for six industry representatives.  However it was proposed to report to the Panel at its February meeting on a process for the replacement of representatives who may resign.  It was noted that Bret Ainsworth had expressed an interest.

Identified as a problem by the industry in the results of How’s the Visitor Economy Today? Consultation process.

Joanne Edley reported that the results of the How’s the Visitor Economy Today? Survey had identified litter as a particular problem by industry representatives.

It was explained that any such problems should be reported through:-

Rotherham Connect via one golden telephone number – 01709 336003

Joanne Edley, Tourism Manager, explained that the current Tourism Plan was now due for review and draft sections would be sent out to various Members of the Forum for comment and update.

Reference was made to:-

-                      Terms of Reference

-                      Performance Indicators and targets

-                      The STEAM Study

-                      Perception of tourism in Rotherham

-                      Accommodation providers’ occupancy rates

-                      Number of visitors to attractions

-                      Number of full time equivalent jobs created

-                      Accommodation stock

-                      New tourism businesses established

-                      Number of people visiting the Visitor and Information Centre (and reasons for lower than expected numbers during the summer months)

-                      Business tourism targets since the formation of the Yorkshire South Tourism partnership

Members of the Forum were requested to help in the review of the Plan.

Discussion groups re:  the new Visitor Economy Plan content/objectives.

Joanne Edley, Tourism Manager, referred to the following additional information:-

-                      Tourism/Visitor perception study to be undertaken through the Council’s Corporate Team – suggested questions to put forward to the Council’s for inclusion in Reachout May 2008 Survey.

-                      Chart showing the different organisations involved in Tourism in the UK (an explanation of the linkages was given)

The draft Plan was shown on the White Board and Members of the Forum discussed each of the 6 objectives and actions points for each objective.  Input from Forum Members was directly inputted by Grace Rogerson.

Issues discussed included:-

-                      Sustainability

-                      Role of Yorkshire South Tourism

-                      Role of the Chamber of Commerce

-                      Target for assessed accommodation

-                      Quality Assurance for attractions/Greenflag scheme for country parks

-                      Use of the Destination Management ICT system – resource implications to keep updated

-                      National access scheme and DDA compliance

-                      Brown signage policy

-                      Rotherham’s “Gateways”

-                      Increasing positive promotion

-                      Further links with schools

-                      Inclusion of Tourism in other Borough-wide strategies e.g. Local Development Framework;  Greenspaces Strategy

-                      Continuation of the role of the Tourism Forum and the Panel

-                      Planning for 2012 Olympic activity

-                      Further development of Group Travel opportunities

-                      Village and community Plans e.g. Wentworth and Harley

-                      Yorkshire South Tourism’s Action Plan

-                      Major events off peak times for the accommodation sector to increase overnight stays

-                      Visitor satisfaction survey

-                      E-commerce bookability

-                      Further economic impact study by Sheffield University

-                      Good practice guidelines

-                      Sustainable transport

-                      Improve the skills base through promotion of courses and further partnership working; student placements

It was agreed:-  That Joanne Edley would send out the draft, including contributions so far, and for Forum Members to return to her any further comments.

TUESDAY, 15^TH APRIL, 2008 – 4.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. at Rotherham United Football Club.

It was confirmed that the next meeting of the Tourism Forum had been arranged to take place as follows:-

DATE:                        TUESDAY, 15^TH APRIL, 2008

TIME:              4.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.

VENUE:         ROTHERHAM UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB

Julie Williamson thanked everyone for their attendance.

Forum Members thanked the College for its hospitality.