Agenda item

Present:- Councillor Smith (in the Chair); Councillors Austen, Boyes, Hall, Littleboy and Walker.

together with:-

Matthew Beck, Chief Executive of MAGNA

and the following officers:-

Julie Roberts                        Town Centre & Markets Manager

Guy Kilminster                      Manager, Libraries, Museums & Arts

Dawn Runciman                                  Events & Promotions

Karen Oliver                          Assistant Tourism Officer

179(42) 

Apologies for Absence

179(43)    

Minutes of the previous meeting held on 30th October, 2006

Consideration was given to the Minutes of the previous meeting held on 30^th September, 2006.

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

179(44)    

Matters Arising

The following issues were raised:-

(i)                 South Yorkshire Destination Management Partnership

It was reported that there had been two useful meetings, one of which had been to visit the newly refurbished Sheffield Museum.

Concern was expressed that the Chief Executive of the SYDMP could not attend today’s meeting.

(ii)                Recording of Visitor Numbers

The question was asked as to whether visitors e.g. staying in guest houses, through school exchanges and international link visits, sports teams/clubs etc were included in the visitor numbers.

It was reported that these were difficult to collect.  However, they would be taken account of in the economic impact study.

It was pointed out that although Magna collected visitor numbers, it was not possible to identify how many visitors were from Rotherham.

179(45)    

RotherhamTown Centre Events 2006/2007

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Events and Promotions Officer, in respect of the following:-

-                      summary of the events included in the 2006/2007 programme

-                      events which had taken place in 2006

-                      proposed events for the remainder of 2006, mainly associated with the Christmas festivities

-                      factors to be considered when planning of the 2007/2008 programme

Particular reference was made to the following events:-

-                      Continental Market

-                      Big Screen

-                      Yorkshire Day

-                      Rotherham in Bloom

-                      Rotherham Show

-                      Rotherham Arts Festival and the Speigeltent

-                      Colourscape

-                      Renaissance Day

-                      Christmas Illuminations and Switch on Evening

-                      Christmas activities:-  including Access to Shopping event;  Real Christmas Reindeer; Santa’s Grotto and festive animatronics; live festive entertainment; craft and collectables market; retail initiatives

Reference was also made to outline proposals for 2007 in respect of:-

-                      Rotherham’s 800^th anniversary as a market town

-                      Bollywood Oscars

It was, however, pointed out that the limited budget would mean that events had to be prioritised.

The involvement of Culture and Leisure Services, Renaissance PR and Marketing Group and the Community and Voluntary Sector was gratefully acknowledged.

Members pointed out that events should be organised which made the most of the history of Rotherham and surrounding districts e.g. Market Charter granted by King John, Robin Hood, Ivanhoe, etc.

Concern was expressed that some Parish Councils appeared not have received the Rotherham in Bloom information.

It was reported that Magna would be holding a South Yorkshire Food Festival in November 2007, which could be linked into the market’s anniversary.

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

(2)  That the process for determining the 2007/2008 events programme, as outlined in the report now submitted, be noted.

179(46)    

Any Other Business

The following issues were reported:-

(i)                   Cooling Towers at Blackbourn - Big Arts Project

It was reported that negotiations were now taking place about the possibility of not demolishing them and for the towers to become part of a Big Arts Project.  The Towers had been nominated to Channel 4 and was one of the remaining six projects being considered.

It was pointed out that, although the towers were not listed, they were of historical importance.

A request was made for a letter of support for the project.

Resolved:  That the Cabinet Member for Lifelong Learning, Culture and Leisure be asked to consider providing a letter of support for the Project.

(ii)                  Rotherham Churches Tourism Initiative – Sarah Crossland

It was reported that notification had been received that the Rotherham Churches Tourism Initiative was coming to an end after 8 years at the end of December. 

A new project called HERITAGE INSPIRED, which will be working with historic faith sites across South Yorkshire, was to be set up.  Sarah would be Project Manager of that project from 1st January, 2007, and would welcome the opportunity to come and talk to the panel about the project and a continuing relationship with Rotherham.

Resolved:-  That the Panel’s thanks and best wishes be sent to Sarah, and her colleagues.

(iii)                 Scrutiny Review – Christmas Illuminations

Reference was made to the Call-in which gave rise to this review.  It was pointed out that this began as a savings issue in respect of district trees and had been broadened out to look at the whole issue of providing Christmas lights and trees.

The following points were made:-

-                      the increased cost associated with the Review’s recommendations

-                      the difficulties in obtaining local sponsorship

-                      competing Council priorities

-                      opportunity for greater community involvement

179(47)    

Date, Time and Venue for the next meeting

Resolved:-  That the next meeting of the Tourism Panel be held on MONDAY, 5^TH FEBRUARY, 2007 at 2.00 p.m. at the Town Hall, Rotherham.

42.                      

43.                      

(a)               

(b)