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Tourism Committee Minutes 1 October 2013


 
Minutes of the Tourism Committee held in the Town Hall, Bideford on Tuesday 1 October 2013 at 6.00 pm


PRESENT:
   
South Ward:
   
Councillor D Fulford (Deputy Town Mayor)
Councillor Mrs M P Fulford
Councillor R Wootton

East Ward:
Councillor D Howell (Chairman)
Councillor R Vanstone

South Ward (Outer):
Councillor A T Powell

Tourist Information    Mrs R Benney

IN ATTENDANCE:
Mrs H J Blackburn (Town Clerk)
Councillor A T  Inch

   
001 ELECTION OF A CHAIRMAN

Councillor Howell was proposed by Councillor Powell and seconded.

RESOLVED: That Councillor Howell is appointed as Chairman of the Committee for the coming year.

(Vote – For: 7, Against: 0)

002 ELECTION OF A VICE CHAIRMAN

Councillor Powell was proposed by Councillor Wootton and seconded.

RESOLVED: That Councillor Powell is appointed as Vice Chairman of the Committee for the coming year.

(Vote – For: 7, Against: 0)


003 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Mrs S Smith (Chamber of Commerce, Personal).

004 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

None

005 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

No items were raised.

006 MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 7 January 2013 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote For: 7, Against: 0)

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 16 April 2013 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote For: 7, Against: 0)

007 TOWN INFORMATION BOARDS

Councillor Howell provided Members with an update on the locations selected for some of the additional information boards.  He advised that there is still funding available for some more boards and asked Members to suggest possible locations.  The following sites were suggested:

• A second board for Clarence Wharf
• The vicinity of the Baptist Church.
• The banks (this has already been explored with one bank, but the paperwork required was costly)
• In the vicinity of the ex-Belkin Flooring building.
• On the railings at New Road opposite the Police Station.
• Inside Atlantic Village
• Barnstaple Tourist Information Centre
• Milky Way
• Big Sheep

Proposed by Councillor Powell, seconded and

RECOMMENDED:  That the above locations are explored, and further boards purchased from the current budget as required.

(Vote For: 7, Against: 0)

008 BIDEFORD GIG BOAT RACES

Members discussed the potential perceived value to the Town offered by the recently introduced Gig Boat races – the inaugural race was launched on Heritage Day this year.  It was felt that the Town Council could sponsor a race for 2014, possibly with a Town Council branded boat, and Councillor Howell offered to provide the required liaison.

Proposed by Councillor Powell, seconded and

RECOMMENDED:  That the Town Council becomes a sponsor of the Gig Boat Races on June 28th with a maximum budget of £750.  The Gig Club will be asked to organise and take responsibility for the event, with Councillor Howell providing liaison with The Town Council.

(Vote For: 7, Against: 0)

009 STREET ENTERTAINMENT

Members discussed the success of the Town Council’s street entertainment during the summer and considered ideas for 2014.

Proposed by Councillor Howell, seconded and

RECOMMENDED:  That the Town Council sets a budget of £5,000 for street entertainment during 2014.

(Vote For: 7, Against: 0)

010 BIDEFORD WINTER FAIRS

Councillor Howell updated Members on the Winter Fair activity, both planned and proposed, at the Pannier Market, during the lead up to Christmas. A number of meetings have taken place and action taken to attract both additional traders and customers to the Pannier Market.  It has been agreed via the Market Management Committee that there will be incentive packages available for traders. Mrs Benney has made quite a few contacts already.  The themes are being organised as follows:

Saturday 30 November
  
Some of the remaining street entertainment budget will be used to provide a family orientated entertainment package. Two school choirs and the Appledore lady singers are keen to take part.  Councillor Howell advised that he is trying to find some kind of novel transport up to the Pannier Market. Bideford 500 is eager to support the day and are looking to provide some Victorian themed actors.

Saturday 7 December

Councillor Howell advised that the Signing of Lease Celebrations will be taking place in the Pannier Market during the morning, and the group are keen to support this and provide some complementary activities.

Saturday 14 December

A nativity themed Saturday has been suggested with the Town Band possibly starting the event. It was suggested local schools could be approached to put on a Nativity play. Councillor Vanstone offered to approach East-the-Water School.

Saturday 21 December

It is envisaged that a Special Christmas Show will be organised.  A number of bands, choirs and activities were suggested, as well as the possibility of handmade lollies.

St Valentines Fair.  14-15 February 2014

There was significant discussion around the possible options for a St. Valentine’s Day Fair.  It was felt that the theme should include food, music, and possibly involve the restaurants in the town.  Both food demonstrations and romantic meals were suggested, with an event on the Friday evening and a daytime Fair on the Saturday.
Councillor Howell offered to approach one or two of Town’s restaurateurs to discuss possibilities.

Proposed by Councillor Powell, seconded and

RECOMMENDED: That The Tourism Committee pursue a St. Valentine’s Day Fair and that a budget of £5,000 be set, with any directly generated income being returned to the Town Council.

(Vote For: 7, Against: 0)

011 PUBLICITY VIA EXISTING WEBSITES.

Members discussed the use of social media and existing websites to publicise Bideford and its events.  A number of sites were suggested, where events can be posted.  Concern was expressed about the work involved in posting to the site, and the need just to advertise events – not opinions.  It was suggested that a company such as
“Blue Soup” could be asked to provide a cost, or one of the local schools could be given this as a project?

Proposed by Councillor Powell, seconded and

RECOMMENDED: That Councillor Wootton investigates potential external sources and associated costs to advertise Town Council events via social media and reports back to the Tourism Committee.

(Vote For: 7, Against: 0)

The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 7.10 pm.

Signature of Town Mayor:  ………………………………….  Date:  ……………………........


Signature of Chairman:  ……………………………………..  Date:  ………………………....


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