Issue - meetings

A report by the Corporate Director, Department of Neighbourhood & Planning is circulated

Cllr John Brady, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Planning and Housing presented a report which:

a)      briefed Cabinet members on the main proposals within the new VisitWiltshire Business Plan 2010 -14;

b)      identified the implications for operations and staff;

c)      sought Cabinet’s agreement to the VisitWiltshire Tourism Partnership establishing itself as an independent company limited by guarantee and

d)      sought approval to de-couple the management of Tourist Information Centres (TICs) that are currently operated by Wiltshire Council from the VisitWiltshire Tourism Partnership, review their cost base and explore the feasibility of securing greater local control.

Cllr Brady emphasised that tourism was a very important generator of income and that the Council was examining how best to fund this area of work in order to maximise the benefits to the County. Councillors agreed that Wiltshire was a hidden gem which needed better marketing to attract people to the area.  It was noted that a number of initiatives were being explored.

Resolved

That Cabinet:

(a)         agrees to VisitWiltshire Tourism Partnership establishing itself as an independent company limited by guarantee.  The focus of this company, will be on destination marketing and building and supporting membership;

(b)        approves bringing in-house the management of TICs that VisitWiltshire currently manages on the Council’s behalf;

(c)         provides delegated authority to the Service Director for Economy & Enterprise in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economy and Enterprise, to review the cost base of the TICs and explore with local stakeholders the feasibility of securing greater control with a view to presenting options to Cabinet by December 2010;

(d)        subject to the outcome of the above investigations, confirms the level of funding that the Council is prepared to make available to the new VisitWiltshire company;

(e)         approves consultation with trade unions, existing VisitWiltshire staff and other stakeholders regarding these proposals and complete a due diligence exercise to assess the feasibility of the TUPE transfer of staff to the new VisitWiltshire company.

(f)           That local division members be kept informed of proposals affecting TIC arrangements in their respective areas and that local members and the National Trust be kept informed of proposals to site a TIC at the Stonehenge Visitor Centre.  That the National Trust be also kept informed of the TIC arrangements at Avebury.

Reason for Decision

To provide VisitWiltshire with the structure and resources it needs to effectively market Wiltshire as a visitor destination, i.e. to attract more visitors and encourage them to stay longer and spend more in the local economy.  It will also provide an opportunity to review the management and funding of TICs and explore the possibility of greater local control of these services by local communities.