To receive a joint presentation by the Head of People, Performance and Partnerships and Sustainable Economic Development Manager.
Minutes:
The Panel received a joint presentation by the Head of People, Performance and Partnerships and the Sustainable Economic Development Manager on visitor development and town centre vibrancy. By way of introduction, the Head of People, Performance and Partnerships reminded the Panel of the Cabinet’s decision in 2005 to reduce the tourism service to make savings. Members were then acquainted with the ways in which the Council, in conjunction with its partners and local businesses, encouraged visits within Huntingdonshire. In doing so, the Panel noted that there were two main strands to the Council’s Strategy. Firstly, it aimed to encourage visitors within a two hour radius of the District to use local accommodation by drawing attention to specialist attractions and by attracting tourists visiting Cambridge. Secondly, the Strategy endeavoured to promote town centre vibrancy and thereby encourage Huntingdonshire residents to spend their money locally.
The Panel discussed the Cambridgeshire Vision for tourism, with its emphasis on business and conference tourism and whether there was sufficient accommodation for business visitors within the District. Concerns also were expressed at an apparent contradiction between the Cambridgeshire Vision and the work being undertaken by the District Council. In particular, questions were raised as to whether business users were likely to use bed and breakfast accommodation and market town facilities and about the absence of references to conference facilities within the District Council’s Strategy. In response, Members were informed that the Cambridgeshire Vision was intended to provide a flavour of the objectives of all the Districts within the County and it recognised that conferencing facilities were lacking in Huntingdonshire. Research had indicated that there was insufficient hotel accommodation within the District, but that owing to the nature of their employment the majority of workers who stayed during the week occupied bed and breakfast accommodation, which accounted for 2,500 beds. Whilst business users might not necessarily attend local events they did utilise local restaurants and pubs, which contributed to the local economy.
Having noted that the Council’s tourism initiatives operated primarily through the internet, a question was asked on whether leaflets had any value as a “what’s on” guide for those residing in hotels. Members were advised that accommodation providers were able to download leaflets from the Council’s website as and when required and that the Town Centre Partnerships produced events diaries in their own publications. Following a further question about the loss of the venue for the Ramsey 1940’s weekend and the need to promote existing attractions, the Head of People, Partnerships and Performance stated that her department would be able to offer assistance in these matters.
The Panel then discussed the potential to stage large scale events within the District. Experience had shown that many large scale events were unlikely to use local services and that although the Inland Waterways Festival had been successful, in the current economic climate, the Council had insufficient resources to provide the necessary level of support required by such events. In response to a question concerning, the annual Secret Garden Party which attracted 19,000 visitors to the District, it was explained that Officers worked closely with the event organisers on the accommodation requirements of those attending. The Head of People, Partnerships and Performance undertook to convey comments on the Cromwell Museum to County Council colleagues.
Following a question about the cost of the service currently provided by the District Council, Members were advised that the resources needed to do this work amounted to less than the equivalent of one full-time post and that this included the provision of support to the Town Centre Partnerships. In terms of measuring the performance of the service, the Panel noted that individual projects would have specific targets and outcomes, including the level of income they generated.
Having received an introduction to this area of activity, it was
RESOLVED
that a further report be submitted to a future meeting on the cost of the tourism service and the benefits it brings to both the Council and to the District.