Agenda item

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

together with:-

Joanne Edley             Tourism Manager

Karen Oliver               Assistant Tourism Officer

Matthew Beck           Chief Executive, MAGNA

293(65) 

Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were received from:-

293(66)   

Minutes of the previous meeting held on 19th March, 2007

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting held on 19^th March, 2007.

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

293(67)   

Matters Arising

There were no matters arising from the previous minutes not covered by the agenda items.

293(68)   

Yorkshire South Tourism (YST) - Update

(i)                   ICT System

The Tourism Manager provided members of the Panel with a copy of a handout relating to the establishment of the YST and other Destination Management Organisations across the Yorkshire Region. 

Particular reference was made to the purchase by Yorkshire Forward of an ICT System for all of the DMO’s across the region.  It was reported that Yorkshire South was ahead of the other DMO’s.  The ICT system for South Yorkshire was housed in the Sheffield City Council Tourist Centre and Yorkshire South Tourism (YST) office.  Rotherham’s tourism staff had received training.  Information was now being input into the system.  Everyone in Yorkshire could use the system to book accommodation and tickets for attractions in advance.

Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield tourist offices were now all linked.  It was pointed out that Barnsley had a resourcing issue and the other 3 local authorities were working with Barnsley.

(ii)                  Funding for new events etc

It was reported that funding from the YST Board was available and work was on-going to get people/facilities from Rotherham to apply.

So far the Board had received two applications:-

-                      for the Spiegel tent – event in September

-                      an application for a dog agility course, garden centre, car parking, camping and caravan facilities in Thurcroft.

(iii)                 Business Tourism

It was reported that Emma France from YST had given a presentation to the Borough’s Tourism Forum on 24^th April on work that had been undertaken to encourage conferencing and business tourism into the area including Confex; events in Leeds and Frankfurt.

(iv)                 Staffing

It was reported that Sheffield City Council had seconded all their tourism staff.  Rotherham was offering support on a project by project basis as follows:-

Anne Grayson working helping on Conferencing

Karen Oliver (1 day p. week) – ICT and Group Travel

Joanne Edley (1 day p. week) –

Michelle Mellor (1 day p. week) – Heritage packages and groups

293(69)   

Rotherham Tourism Services Update

The Tourism Manager reported on the following:-

(i)                   Yorkshire Tourist Board (YTB)

-                      conference in September 2007 re:  Sustainable Tourism – details were awaited

-                      Economic impact surveys – two different models had been used which gave two different results (Cambridge model and Steam model).  Rotherham was therefore questioning the research figures being used by YTB for Rotherham because they seemed very low.  Also some data e.g. occupancy figures, was being shown as “not available”. These issues would be followed up with YTB.

-                      Organisation of YTB meetings:-  this was to continue with a local authorities meeting and a meeting with the attractions/groups.

-                      It had also been suggested that there should be a joint meeting with YST.

(ii)                  Yorkshire South Tourism

Yorkshire South was more advanced than the other five DMO’s across Yorkshire and was progressing quickly.

(iii)                 Rotherham Walking Festival

2^nd to 15^th July 2007

Copies of the booklet detailing all the walks and associated events were made available.

It was reported that there were fewer walks than in previous years due to the need for more volunteer walk leaders.  However, the same number of participants was expected.

To address the issue of a shortage of walk leaders a course was being run at Clifton ParkMuseum in conjunction with DearneValley College and the “Friends of” group.  Currently two people from Magna and one from the Visitor Centre were on the course.  It was hoped to encourage staff from the museum and also some local volunteers.

Councillor Walker added that the South Yorkshire Learning Skills Manager may be able to help with finding funding for another course.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the Tourism Manager contact the South Yorkshire Learning Skills Manager to discuss future course funding.

(2)  That the staff be commended on the production and quality of the booklet.

Walking Festival July 2008

It was proposed to stage the 2008 Festival at the same time of the year in the first two weeks in July.

Publicity would be carried out using the database (which currently contained 2,500 entries), together with a distribution company delivering supplies of the leaflet to major attractions and accommodation providers.

Members commented on:-

       Involvement of schools

       Chesterfield Canal

       South YorkshireTransport Museum

(3)      that the Tourism Manager liaise with the Senior Technician in the Road Safety Section.

(iv)                 Accommodation Guide and Attractions Guide

Copies of these guides had been produced.  It was reported that through contacts via the International Links Group there was an opportunity for the guides to be translated into Polish.  Copies would be available in pdf format on the Website with printed versions available at e.g. Robin Hood airport etc.

(v)                  Tour of Britain Team

It was reported that it was hoped to launch this event on 13^th September at RotherValley CountryPark.  There were on-going discussions with the event organiser.

(vi)                 9^th June - Awards ceremony in Sheffiled

These would be shown on the Big Screen, and community events would take place in the day (these were being co-ordinated by the Equalities and Diversities Manager).

(vii)                Tourism  Forum

The Forum had met on 24^th April at Aston Hall.  There had been guest speakers from Magna, Yorkshire South, and Throapham B & B.  The Forum suggested that, as so much was now happening, it would like to meet every four months.  It was proposed that the next meeting be held at the SouthYorkshire TransportMuseum (subject to heaters being borrowed from Magna).

Matthew Beck also offered Magna as the venue for the following meeting in mid-January, 2008.

(viii)               Events and Promotions

-               Farmers’ Market – the first had been held on 28^th April, 2007 and had been very successful with very positive feedback being received.

-                      Kiveton Farmers’ Market – an application for a one day farmers’ market had been received from Wales Parish Council.  The Chairman stressed that he did not want this to become a precedent or to affect the Market Franchise.  He reported that he had suggested that this market be held bi-monthly and had asked for a further report on its operation.

293(70)   

South Yorkshire Transport Museum Update

The Tourism Manager reported on the background, history and previous location of the museum (formerly known as the Sheffield BusMuseum).

The organisers of the museum had approached all 4 South Yorkshire local authorities looking for a new location.  RiDO had helped identify premises and locations in Rotherham and the Museum was now housed at Aldwarke.  RiDO had also provided business and tourism support for the museum’s move to Rotherham.

The organisers had put in a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund to convert a former Corporation bus (blue and cream) for use with schools, TV etc with interactive information facilties.  YST were also looking to use a bus for conferencing use.

A draft copy of their attraction leaflet was distributed.

It was noted that the organisers had been invited to give a presentation to the Tourism Forum and that the Museum had offered to host the next Tourism Forum meeting.

293(71)   

Any Other Business

The following issues were raised:-

(i)                   Olympic Sports and links with South Yorkshire

Reference was made to the joint work with the four South Yorkshire local authorities to encourage Olympic teams to use facilities in the sub-region.  Councillor Walker was to attend a conference in London on this subject.

(ii)                  Councillor Georgina Boyes

The Chairman reported that Councillor Boyes had recently suffered a fall and had broken her right shoulder and left wrist as a result.

Resolved:-  That a Best Wishes card be sent to Councillor Boyes on behalf of the Panel.

(iii)                 Councillor David Hall

The Chairman reported that this would be last Panel meeting, and the last meeting which Councillor Hall would attend.

The Panel members wished Councillor Hall well and hoped that he would soon return to the Council

(iv)                 Magna

Matthew Beck reported on the early stages of negotiations to bring another major attraction into Magna.

293(72)   

Date, Time and Venue for the next meeting

Resolved:-  That the next meeting of the Tourism Panel be held on Monday, 4^th June, 2007 at 2.00 p.m. at the Town Hall, Moorgate Street, Rotherham.

65.                      

66.                      

(a)               

(b)