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MINUTES of a Meeting of the Tourism and Recreational Services Committee held in the Council Chamber at The Guildhall, Gainsborough on Thursday, 16th September 1999 at 7 pm.

Present : Councillor A C Rosser (In the Chair)

The Committee Clerk reported that having received Notices under Regulation 13 of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, the Chief Executive had appointed Councillors K Whaley, C W G Greenaway, T V Young and Mrs I Parrott as Members of the Committee in the places of Councillors A D Caine, Mrs M P A Greenaway, L J Rainsforth and C J Underwood-Frost respectively, for this meeting only.

The Economic Development and Recreational Services Manager submitted report TR.20 99/00 and advised that there was still some doubt as to the possible outcome and timescale of European Structural Funds.

He outlined the priorities for inclusion in the Single Programming Document which he was confident would be able to meet all the Committee’s objectives.

Members considered that the fourth Economy priority, supporting agricultural diversification and the development of farm based activities, was absolutely vital in rural Lincolnshire and should become the first priority. It could equally well be included within the priorities for the Development of a Cultural Base, as there was great potential for increasing tourism in the district if redundant farm buildings and barns could be released and converted to provide bed and breakfast accommodation.

It was also suggested that as the Government appeared to be supporting cultural aspects the development of West Lindsey’s Cultural Base should be regarded as the most important priority and have greater emphasis, as a sound cultural base would in turn attract industry and businesses to the district providing further employment opportunities.

RESOLVED that :-

1. the initial list of priorities appended to report TR.20 99/00, as amended, be supported; and;
2. further work be done on European Funding priorities in conjunction with other County partners and in parallel to the development of an integrated cultural and economic strategy.

The Economic Development and Recreational Services Manager submitted report TR.22 99/00 and outlined the broad principles proposed for the preparation of an economic and cultural strategy which would provide for service level delivery of all aspects of the work of the Economic Development and Recreational Services departments.

Whilst Members welcomed the proposed strategy it was considered that the Committee’s priorities were entirely separate from those of the Economic Development Services Committee and should remain so. The Economic Development Services Committee should not take over responsibility for cultural services nor this Committee become involved with specialist economic development and regeneration projects.

Tourism and arts underpinned the economy of the country and was the largest industry worldwide. The specialist staff within the Recreational Services department were essential for the successful delivery of cultural projects and sports development within the district.

The Economic Development and Recreational Services Manager confirmed that existing strategies within the Economic Development and Recreational Services Unit were in need of review and the success of the proposed Cultural and Economic Strategy required it to be Member driven with clear distinctions.

1. the development of a new Cultural and Economic Strategy as outlined in the body of report TR.22 99/00 and its appendices be approved;
2. following the adoption of a Cultural and Economic Strategy, the Committee adopts a series of related Service Plans covering all aspects of the work of the Economic Development and Recreational Services Unit; and
3. further consideration of the long term resource implications be undertaken as part of the Council’s corporate structural review.

The Economic Development and Recreational Services Manager submitted report TR.21 99/00 and outlined the basis of the proposed SRB bid.

In response to concerns expressed that the bid may be considered to be too fragmented, the Economic Development and Recreational Services Manager confirmed that the choice of the A631 corridor had been influenced by the substantial cluster of projects and sizeable pieces of industrial land along the route making it more consistent with Objective 2 or 5B Transitional Funding criteria.

Members welcomed the proposed innovative bid and considered that the expertise within the Economic Development Unit would ensure its success.

1. the preparation of an indicative SRB bid on the basis outlined within the body of report TR.21 99/00 be supported;
2. work commences on the identification and inclusion of potential partners in connection with the bid; and
3. the draft bid be reported to Committee in due course.

The Tourism and Arts Officer submitted report TR.23 99/00 and circulated a chart depicting visitor numbers in West Lindsey throughout the rally.

Members were delighted at the tremendous success of the rally and congratulated the Tourism and Arts Officer and her team on their efforts.

Several Members commented on their visits to the rally when they had spoken to numerous visitors who had appreciated the provision of linguistic skills by West Lindsey and were full of praise for Lincoln and Gainsborough. Members considered that participation in the rally had been money well spent and the excellent events and souvenir guides would encourage return visits in the future. It was suggested that a letter be forwarded to the FICC thanking them for holding the rally in West Lindsey and staging the excellent reception and concert.

Concern was however expressed that the event appeared to have been Lincoln City and County lead with West Lindsey receiving little publicity and space within the Tourist Information Centre.

1. this Authority’s role in the preparation and management of the 1999 Federation of International Caravan Clubs Rally be approved;

The Tourism and Arts Officer submitted report TR.24 99/00 and outlined what had taken place at the Satellite and Launch Concerts.

She confirmed that whilst the project had been a success and met the target of bringing professional musicians into the district, valuable lessons had been learned and further discussions would be held with Eastern Orchestral Board on the Year 2 project.

The Chairman read a statement from the local ward member concerning the Welton concert and whilst Members agreed that it had been a superb performance, with hindsight it may not have been the right programme for the venue.

The County Council’s representative on the Eastern Orchestral Board confirmed that the rules had recently been amended to enable the district to benefit from additional events, particularly on the educational side. He expressed the hope that this Council would take full advantage of its membership in the future and be more selective in the type of concerts it chose.

The meeting concluded at 8.42 pm.

Chairman