The Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Head of Economy and Community Services and Economy and Community Services Manager have been invited to attend for this item. 

The Chairman welcomed the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, the Head of Economy and Community Services and the Economy and Community Services Manager to the meeting for this item.

The Chairman explained that the Committee had been concerned with the limited progress in implementing the recommendations from this review.  He explained that they would work through the updates on the Log of Recommendations (item 7).

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration advised that this was a work in progress.  The Head of Economy and Community Services explained that the recommendations formed part of the work programme for the Visitor Economy Framework.

Recommendation 3

In response to a question, the Economy and Community Services Manager explained that a meeting on 13 June 2018 with Visit Kent would be looking at research and development programmes.  There would be themed programmed works in the four areas:  Sittingbourne, Faversham, Isle of Sheppey, and rural areas.  An initial scoping meeting had taken place with Visit Kent, and there were planned campaigns throughout the summer.

Recommendation 4

The Economy and Community Services Manager emphasised the need for coach parking in the Borough, and it was hoped that the coach parking set-up in Faversham could be replicated on the Isle of Sheppey.  A meeting was being held next week to discuss this further.

Recommendation 5

The Economy and Community Services Manager outlined the procedure for organisations to have brown tourist signs implemented.  She explained that it was not about promotion or marketing of an event/destination, but a way of safely directing visitors.  This would become a legal agreement between the organisation and KCC, and so had to be carried out by the organisation, rather than the Council.

A Member suggested to reduce costs, and signage, that organisations got together and did a joint application.  The Economy and Community Services Manager advised that there was a limit of six visitor attractions on one sign.

A Member considered the coastal attractions, particularly on the Isle of Sheppey should be sign-posted.  He explained that some of the infrastructure, for example railings etc. let down the otherwise clean beach coast line and he felt this natural attraction could be exploited more.  The Economy and Community Services Manager explained that a photographic audit was being carried out to indicate where signage was in the Borough.  She praised the officers and residents who had helped clean-up the beaches.

Recommendation 6

In response to a question, the Economy and Community Services Manager explained that organisations needed to contact her so that she could direct them towards culture funding opportunities.

Recommendation 8

The Economy and Community Services Manager explained that an internal cross-working group, including highways and cleansing were looking at budgets to deliver keeping roads clean.  Further discussions would be held with Visit Kent in relation to work with Network Rail.  The stakeholders group had not yet been set-up.

There was some discussion on the perception that visitors got of areas within the Borough which had overgrown verges and rubbish, and that it looked as though the Borough did not care.  Members highlighted that there were often different cutting schedules for areas maintained by KCC, SBC and parish and town councils.

Recommendation 9

In response to a question, the Economy and Community Services Manager was disappointed to hear that there had been very few ‘tweets’ from Visit Swale, and she explained that she would look into what could be done to enhance this. 

At this point, Councillor Ken Ingleton declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of the Community Interest Organisation (CIO), as he was a trustee.  He explained that the main reason for an organisation becoming a CIO was so that it could then become a vehicle to apply for grants.

The Chairman thanked the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, the Head of Economy and Community Services and the Economy and Community Services Manager for attending the meeting for this item.

Resolved:

(1)      That Members advise the Economy and Community Services Manager of any infrastructure repairs/issues around the Borough’s coastline.