Agenda item

The committee is requested to consider the findings of the Task and Finish Group and recommend to Cabinet accordingly.

Mr McAra introduced the item emphasising the importance of the visitor economy. Mr Oates outlined the main findings of the report. Much duplication had been found across organisations and other authorities which in turn duplicated resources, time and money. Mr Oates explained everyone is a tourist at some point whether it is for a day trip or an overnight stay. The government are focussing an initiative on growing tourism, including non-traditional tourist destinations with the aim of boosting the economy and jobs.

Mrs Apel asked for more information in relation to section 6.2 of the report which states that ‘visitor satisfaction with West Sussex is among the lowest in the country.’ Mr Oates explained this was based on Visit England research. Councillor Cullen emphasised that the figure was for the whole of West Sussex and therefore wider than just Chichester.

Mr Woolley asked what action the council was taking to increase the number of hotel beds in the district. Mr Oates explained that once a destination has a focus on the visitor economy hotel brands may begin to become more interested. Mr Oates explained that Chichester needed to create a welcoming environment for attracting visitors all year round and this should generate more hotel interest.

Mrs Tassell suggested an exhibition hall or concert hall that the university could focus on to attract all year round interest.

Mrs Tassell asked what was being done about the reporting litter button on the website. In some cases nothing appeared to happen after litter was reported. Mr Hansford agreed to report back this issue to Mr Darton for a response.

Mrs Dignum asked for clarification on paragraph 7.1 on what ‘infrastructure, amenities and assets might only exist with the help of tourism’. She also asked what would be done about the duplication of people, time and financial resources. Mr Oates replied that amenities such as the Cathedral, Theatre and Gallery as well as coastal amenities in Selsey and Bracklesham in some cases only exist with the help of tourist spend, and in other cases their maintenance and development are considerably boosted by tourism spend, therefore also benefitting the local population. On the second point, Mr Oates said that the aim was to avoid duplication of resources through creating a cohesive tourism offering, under strong leadership, and focusing on what the customer wants, not just what we want to offer.

Mr Hayes explained shops compensate with additional ramps to make improve the city’s disabled. He also commented on the unattractive bus station. Mrs Hotchkiss explained these areas will be covered in work surrounding the vision and future of the city.

Mrs Apel asked for clarification of how destination management would be financed. Mr Oates replied that visitor destination management nationally has been public sector driven but increasingly destinations have encouraged the private sector to take the lead with public sector support. Funding streams are available form Visit England and central government, and there are potential private sector funding streams now being rolled-out in other areas Mrs Hotchkiss added that creating a destination would involve talking to neighbouring authorities.

Mrs Hamilton commented that in her experience Visit Chichester had started creating resources to be built on. Mr Oates replied that Visit Chichester is a voluntary organisation and, with very limited time and financial resources, has worked hard to try and keep the District on the map, but the area needs a much stronger full-time resource, particularly if the aim is to create a year-round visitor economy.

Mrs Graves suggested greater promotion for events such as the Turner Exhibition in Petworth, the Weald and Downland Museum and West Dean Gardens themed weekends.

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET

That Option 4 as set out in section 9.4 of the report be agreed and, in particular, that:

the Council sets out a brief but clear three to five year plan which sets the aspiration, establishes the baseline information and leads the initiative required to bring partners together to develop the visitor economy under one robust and coherent strategy.