Agenda item

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

together with:-

Sarah Crossland, Rotherham Churches Tourism

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Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were received from:-

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Minutes of the previous meeting held on 7th March, 2005

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 7^th March, 2005, be approved as a correct record.

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Matters Arising

There were no matters arising not covered on the agenda.

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Events and Promotions Update

The Events and Promotions Officer reported on the following:-

(i)             Attendance at the Outdoor Show, Birmingham NEC – 18^th, 19^th & 20^th March, 2005

This event was attended by 45,000 people.  The main promotion was Rotherham’s Walking Festival.

(ii)            Markets Festival – planning was progressing and advertising posters, flyers etc would be distributed shortly.  Details of a competition would also be made available.

(iii)           Rotherham in Bloom – final details were being discussed with Colin Scott, Rotherham Chamber of Trade re:  categories and prizes.  Suggested categories so far included:-  Town Centre businesses:  Leisure, Tourism and Hospitality;  Villages: Industrial Premises.

(iv)           Continental Market:-  this was planned for 19^th, 20^th and 21^st May and there would be further discussions next week with the Company.

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Update on Proposals for South Yorkshire Destination Management Partnership

Further to Minute No. 31 of the meeting of the Tourism Panel held on 7^th March, 2005, the Town Centre, Markets and Tourism Manager, reported on the latest position in respect of the establishment of the South Yorkshire Destination Management Partnership.

It was reported that a paper was being discussed today by the four South Yorkshire Local Authorities and their Chief Executives.  The recommendation would be for the establishment of a public private partnership.  It was pointed out that Sheffield would continue to help with the establishment of the partnership and that it had yet to be decided which Local Authority would become the lead authority and responsible for the overall management.

Members referred to the need to be kept informed and provided with relevant correspondence.  Reference was also made to the most appropriate authority to become the lead authority.

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Tourism Update

The Tourism Officer reported on the following:-

(i)             Production of the Draft Tourism Plan 2005 – 2008

(ii)            the reformation of the Yorkshire Tourism Board as the Yorkshire Tourism Council with a new Board and a new marketing strategy.

(iii)           Attendance at the official opening of CliftonPark Museum on 11^th March, 2005

(iv)           Attendance at the Outdoor Show

(v)            Visit to Chesterfield Tourist Information Centre:-  the centre had recently won an award in the East Midlands area and staff had made the visit to exchange ideas and share good practice.

(vi)           RIDO – the Tourism Officer had been guest speaker at the team meeting and had discussed working together on conference tourism and events, databases, Buy Local Scheme and enquiries.

(vii)          Anston Parish Council:-  The Tourism Officer had been guest speaker at the Parish Council and had discussed the Tourism Plan.

(viii)          Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield Airport:-  the Tourism Officer had attended a meeting with ThomsonFly and representatives about the opening of the airport and had provided information and literature for inclusion in the press packs.  It was reported that a tourist information centre was being set up and it was proposed that staff be exchanged and that familiarisation visits take place.

Members raised the issue of public transport links with the airport, particularly rail and bus, and comparative costs of taxi journeys.

It was reported that there was a Transportation Group set up associated with the development of the airport.

Reference was made to the anticipated number of jobs to be created by the airport development.  It was pointed out that this was one of the Performance Indicators and that to date 750 jobs had been created prior to the airport opening.  These were mainly local and in the services and supplies sector.

A newsletter on the airport was distributed to those present.

Resolved:-  That the Tourism Officer make contact with Philip Spurr, at Renaissance South Yorkshire, to discuss the wider benefits of the airport development being migrated out across South Yorkshire and to discuss the plans for public transport access for people outside of Doncaster and that the transport issue be discussed with the Council’s Transportation Unit Manager.

(ix)           LGA Conference – 26^th April, 2005 – this was to be attended.  The theme was Best Value.

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Draft Tourism Plan

Further to Minute No. 237 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member, Economic and Development Services held on 18^th April, 2005, the Tourism Officer presented the Draft Tourism Plan, and those present were invited to comment on its content prior to submission to the Regeneration Board and prior to the document being sent out for wider consultation.

Reference was made to the value of tourism to the economy of Rotherham.  Members’ attention was drawn to the six main themes/objectives of the plan and to the outline of proposed actions to deliver the plan over the next three years.

The Libraries, Museum and Arts Manager referred to the marketing of the Northern Way and to the section which referred specifically to the creation of a Northern Cultural Events and Attractions Plan which was to be drafted by the summer of 2005.  This was being lead by Yorkshire Culture and an email had been sent asking how the Council could be involved as clearly events such as Rotherham Show and the Walking Festival needed to be included.

The Head of RiDO added that he was involved in a task group which was writing a strategic development plan to feed into the Northern Way.

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Date, Time and Venue for the next meeting

Resolved:-  That the next meeting be held on MONDAY, 6^th JUNE, 2005 at 2.00 p.m. at the Town Hall, Moorgate Street, Rotherham.