Agenda item

Context:

To provide Members with a report card that considers Monmouthshire Tourism

Performance for 2015 against the objectives and outcomes set out in the Council’s

Improvement Plan.

Key Issues:

This report card highlights performance against key performance indicators for 2015.

In a climate of increasingly stretched resources it has been vital to focus firmly on

priorities and to maximise partnership working and opportunities to access external

funding.

The Strategic Food and Tourism Manager presented the report.

Member Scrutiny

A Member questioned how the Tourist Information Centre (TIC) budget of £42,358 is broken down and the effect on the various TICs in the County.  It was clarified that the figure queried was last year’s budget and that there is a reduced contribution of £18,000 to TICs for the current year.  In view of the operational costs for the Chepstow TIC of £65,000 (for which a £5000 contribution from Chepstow Town Council is received), it has been necessary to make a reduced contribution to Abergavenny TIC this year whilst steps are taken to move Chepstow TIC to the Abergavenny partnership model.  Information on the full costs of Abergavenny TIC was requested and an agenda item and report will be added to the work programme accordingly.

Members appreciated the value of local information and welcome provided by TICs in addition to digital resources.  It was emphasised that the reduction of visitor numbers recorded could be attributed to the restricted opening hours in response to budget cuts.  The commitment to identify suitable partners and progress partnership working for the Chepstow TIC was agreed.

It was agreed to consider the feasibility of becoming a Tourism Business Improvement District.  A Member explained that work has been undertaken to circulate to traders in Abergavenny, in the absence of a trade association, to promote tourism opportunities.

The Chair queried the external funding received, in particular, if local authorities can bid into the Tourism Investment Support Scheme (TISS).  The Officer advised that local authorities can apply to any relevant funding source according to its tourism objectives, and provided examples of funding secured from e.g. Regional Tourism Engagement Fund, Active Travel Quick Wins and the Rural Development Plan.  It was clarified that there are elements of the TISS that public sector can apply for that are not currently open but this will be monitored.  Members were informed that a review of the Destination Plan has been commissioned and that the priorities and opportunities in the new plan will inform the next round of funding applications.

The Chair queried timescales for the development of the new Destination Plan and was informed that it must be completed by 31^st March 2017.  It was advocated that Members are consulted on priorities at the earliest opportunity.

Members and Officers were reminded of the purdah period prior to the elections in May 2017.  It was agreed to consult Members, in a possible workshop format, following engagement with key stakeholders.

A Member welcomed the volume of data in the report and forecasted that visitor numbers should grow in future taking account of the National Eisteddfod this year, and the new Premier Inn in Monmouth next year emphasising the importance of tourism and continued support for TICs to the County’s economy.

In response to a query, the Officer explained that the occupancy data compiled is anonymised and overall that serviced accommodation in the County is performing on a par or better than the rest of Wales, noting that there are capacity issues when large events are held.

Members were reminded of the role of Scrutiny Committees to be impartial and add value to the democratic process.

A Member highlighted the importance of taking appropriate actions within budgets whilst the current economic climate encourages visitors from outside the United Kingdom and also to make plans to ensure that the improvements made are maintained when the economic conditions improve.