Agenda item

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

together with :-

Matthew Beck                         Magna

Dawn Runciman                      Events and Promotions Officer

Karen Oliver                             Assistant Tourism Officer

Joanne Wehrle                       Partnership Officer

Michael Savage                       Sheffield University (Observer)

250(55) 

Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from :-

Councillor Littleboy                Senior Adviser, Culture & Leisure

Councillor St. John                 Cabinet Member, Culture & Leisure

Guy Kilminster                        Manager, Libraries, Museums & Arts

Marie Hayes                          Commercial & Promotional Manager

Julie Roberts                         Town Centre & Markets Manager

Joanne Edley                         Tourism Manager

250(56) 

Minutes of the previous meeting held on 5th February, 2007

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting of the Tourism Panel held on 5^th February, 2007.

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

250(57) 

Matters Arising

There were no matters arising from the previous minutes.

250(58) 

Events and Promotions Update

The Events and Promotions Officer reported on proposed town centre events to be held in 2007/2008.

The key benefits of the event to the Town Centre and to the wider community were highlighted.

Key factors against which events could be benchmarked and prioritised were also reported.

Reference was made to the teams within the Directorate which contributed to the events programme, and also to the role of the Rotherham Renaissances PR and Marketing Group.

The following events, which were a mix of established and new events, were highlighted.

• Combining Rotherham by the Sea with events to celebrate Rotherham’s 800^th anniversary of its Market Charter (including Medieval Market, Plant and Flower Market, Festival Market and Charities Market)
• Rotherham Show, including Antiques Market
• Christmas Activities:-  switch-on; Santa’s Grotto; Access to Shopping; Craft and Collectables Market; live festive entertainment; Aviemore reindeer
• Launch on 25^th April of the Farmers’ Market (30^th May; 27^th June; 25^th July;  29^th August;  26^th September;  31^st October;  28^th November and 19^th December – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
• Events to link with Bollywood – 8^th Annual International Indian Film Academy 2007 Awards Ceremony
• Rotherham in Bloom:-  looking towards producing sculptural floral features rather than hanging baskets
• Community element:-  Colourscape and Spiegeltent

It was also reported, that subject to the continued partnership with the BBC, it was proposed to show several events on the Big Screen including, Royal Opera House performances of Swan Lake and Don Giovanni; Last Night of the Proms; Bollywood;  Wimbledon and other sporting events;  film nights etc.

Resolved:-  That the events programme be welcomed and further details be sent to Members of the Panel.

250(59) 

Yorkshire South Tourism Work in Progress

The Assistant Tourism Officer reported on the following:-

(i)                   British Travel Trade Fair in Birmingham

This was aimed at the Group Travel market and contacts had been established with the coach operators for a familiarisation visit to be organised in the Autumn.

(ii)                 Development of a Destination Marketing System

A training course had been organised to which Hotels, other accommodation providers and attractions could log on to.  The system allowed in put of information re:  rates and availability.  The system had been launched at the Yorkshire South Conference Partnership.

250(60) 

Rotherham Tourism Update

The Assistant Tourism Officer reported on the following:-

(i)                   New Accommodation guide (also available on the Website) had been launched.

(ii)                 New Visitor Attractions guide – this would be available on 2^nd April

(iii)                Excellent press coverage of Throapham House Guest Accommodation

250(61) 

International Links

Members of the Panel received a PowerPoint presentation by the Partnership Officer in respect of work to promote International links.

Members of the Panel commented on:-

• More recognition was needed of the work being done by schools e.g. in Africa.
• Links with the Youth Cabinet.
• The need for more feedback from young people who had been on exchange visits.

Resolved:-  That the Partnership Officer be thanked for her informative and comprehensive presentation.

250(62)

Exclusion of the Press and Public

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006) (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Council)).

250(63) 

Yorkshire South Tourism Update

Councillor Boyes, (the Council’s representative to the South Yorkshire Destination Management Partnership (now known as Yorkshire South)) spoke to a previously circulated report, detailing the progress in the establishment of the Destination Management Partnership, and achievements to date.

The following aspects were highlighted:-

• Change to the original representation on the Board
• Attendance record of members
• Securing of premises
• Secondment of staff from Sheffield City Council and other partners
• Involvement of PwC in progressing financial issues
• Extension of the Ambassador programme
• Development of a programme to attract academic conferencing (noting that Rotherham needed to promote its facilities in this field)
• On-going production of an Accommodation Strategy
• Commissioning of Sports Impact to research and develop proposals to improve the sports image of South Yorkshire

Reference was made to remaining concerns in respect of:-

-  Scrutiny arrangements:-  Rotherham had offered to take the lead on this if necessary.

-  Production of a large scale database

Copies of the following Yorkshire South publications were made available:-

-  Inspiring Places

-  Group Travel Guide 2007

The Director of RiDO also referred to the importance of the YES Project and to the recently opened conference facilities at Magna.

Resolved:-  That Councillor Boyes be thanked for her comprehensive and informative report.

250(64) 

Date, Time and Venue for the next meeting

Resolved:-  That the next meeting of the Tourism Panel be held on MONDAY, 30^TH APRIL, 2007 at 2.00 p.m. at the Town Hall, Rotherham.