· Head of Corporate Communications and Marketing, Chief Executive’s Directorate, to report.
Minutes:
The Head of Corporate Communications and Marketing provided information on the progress of the following issues:-
(a) forthcoming, initial discussions with an external consultancy commissioned by the Local Economic Partnership to look at a major events strategy for the Sheffield City Region, taking into account the business and economic benefits of tourism and large-scale public events. The brief includes consideration of events that would benefit from greater co-ordination, promotion or collaboration. Members discussed Rotherham’s potential as a venue for large events, concerts and festivals. The Head of Corporate Communications and Marketing was asked to report on the progress of these initial discussions at a future meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Culture and Tourism;
(b) the following Rotherham organisations have been shortlisted for the 2013 White Rose Awards:-
: the Magna Science and Adventure Centre, in the Business Tourism category;
: Throapham House, in the Bed and Breakfast category.
Both were listed as being in Sheffield. Contact had been made with Welcome to Yorkshire to ensure that these places are promoted as being within the Rotherham Borough;
(c) it was agreed that the Welcome to Yorkshire organisation’s Service Level Agreement with the Borough Council shall be reported to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Culture and Tourism, enabling Members to review benefits obtained from membership of Welcome to Yorkshire, in comparison to other member local authorities, and to discuss any changes deemed necessary to maximise such benefits for the local area. Welcome to Yorkshire representatives will be invited to attend that meeting.
(d) Tour de France visit to Yorkshire in July, 2014 – Members noted that Welcome to Yorkshire has asked the Borough Council to ensure that the local area is appropriately reflected (through the provision of images and information) in the pre-event publicity and marketing, prior to the Tour de France cycle race taking place in Yorkshire next year, in order to ensure that the Rotherham Borough area may benefit from the influx of tourists.
In addition, a working group of officers has been established to examine how Rotherham can maximise the benefits from the ‘Grand Départ’, including: the cycling legacy, public health benefits linked to the Rotherham Heart Town initiative and also the Sustrans project to encourage cycling amongst school pupils, as well as participation in and links to the Cultural Festival taking place prior to the ‘Grand Départ’ (through which access to funding may be available). The cultural festival will take place in the 100 days leading up to the arrival of the Tour de France;
(e) there had been a recent meeting of the South Yorkshire Tourism Advisory Board, held at Penistone. This meeting included both private and public sector representatives, although attendance at recent meetings had been low. Welcome to Yorkshire was currently reviewing the Board’s effectiveness and role and its possible replacement with quarterly member briefings.
(f) Members discussed the publicity issued in respect of village and town galas and fetes taking place throughout the Borough area and whether the production of such publicity could be improved; suggestions were that assistance may be forthcoming from Voluntary Action Rotherham or from the network of Parish Councils in the Rotherham Borough area.