Minutes of the Tourism Committee  held in the Town Hall, Bideford on 4th July 2017 at 6.00 pm

PRESENT:

East Ward:   
Councillor S Robinson   
Councillor Mrs R Craigie

North Ward:   
Councillor D Bushby
Councillor D McGeough

South Ward (Outer):   
Councillor D Howell (Chairman)

IN ATTENDANCE:   
Mrs L Dixon-Chatfield  (Town Clerk’s Asst)

019   APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

No apologies were received.

020   DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

There were no declarations made at this point in the meeting.

021   PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

There were no members of the public present

022   MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday 30 May 2017 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote For:6, Against: 0)

023   SCHOOL CHOIRS CONCERT UPDATE

The Chairman wished to apologise to members that he had not been able to speak with Adrian Scarrett regarding holding a School Choirs Concert.  He added that he would try again after the summer holidays, when the new term starts and would look at a showpiece.

Councillor Mrs Craigie suggested putting a show on around Christmas time.
The Chairman advised that there could be further discussion at the next meeting in September.

024   TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE PROGRESS OF KINGSLEY SCHOOL MAKING A PROMOTIONAL VIDEO OF BIDEFORD EVENTS

No update was possible with the absence of Councillor McKenzie.

025   UPDATE ON THE PROGRESS OF THE CENTENARY OF APPLEDORE – BIDEFORD RAILWAY CLOSURE

 No update was possible with the absence of Councillor McKenzie.

026   BIDEFORD / ST MARGARET’S FAIR

The Chairman was delighted with how the organisation of this event had pulled together, and that he was confident that there would be a good show on the day.

He had a further two additions to the line up with a vintage Fire Engine and Belly Dancers.  Also ss Freshspring would have an information gazebo.

He had discovered, however, that there was another fun fair running concurrently and it has been on site for some time.  He didn’t think it would interfere with the Bideford Fair day and he suggested that he may be able to ask the fun fair organisers to restrict their opening times – he had noticed that they were not starting up until later in the afternoon which would mean that Phil Vanstone’s children’s rides could open at the Rugby Club end of the Park.

The Chairman advised members that there would be plenty of food outlets and that Food Hygiene Certificates and PLI had been requested and received from all.#

With regard to proceedings, some members asked what time they needed to be on site.  The Chairman advised that if setting up stalls etc, 8.30am – 9.00am.

Councillor Bushby informed members that he had organised the Vintage Bikes to come onto the site via the Park Lane entrance at around 10.00am.  The Chairman had arranged for vendors to be set up for 10.15am but himself would be on site at 8.00 am.  He would check what time the Park gates are opened.

The Chairman then explained that the procession would be full regalia which would include the Mayor and Mayoress, both Beadles with maces and the Town Crier.  They would leave the Town Hall at 10.15am and be led by the Bideford Youth Pipe Band, process along Allhalland Street, Mill Street, Bridgeland Street and on to the Park.
The Mayoral Party would make their way to the Tarka stage for the opening of the event.  After a display by the Bideford Youth Pipe Band, the Mayoral party would be escorted back to the Town Hall.

The Town Crier had also arranged for a 30 minute peal of bells at St Mary’s Church

Advertising had been extensive with the Buzz, North Devon Gazette, North Devon Journal, Social media, an interview on the Voice FM and hopefully one on Radio Devon.  Posters were now being displayed and flyers would be distributed. 
The Chairman wanted to have the Bideford Town Council Gazebo set up with information boards.  The Clerk assured him that the boards would be brought up to date.  He asked if the Maintenance Team would be available to put up the gazebo and set up the stand and then take down at the end of the day.  Councillor Bushby will discuss this with the Town Clerk.

027   TO DISCUSS ORGANISING A PRESS WEEKEND TO PROMOTE BIDEFORD AND IMMEDIATE AREA.

The Chairman opened the discussion by suggesting that journalists/travel writers from within a 3 hour radius be invited, perhaps with representatives from the ND Gazette and ND Journal, to a weekend of showcasing Bideford and the immediate area.  Looking at possibly 6 – 10 representatives. 
Accommodation and meals would be provided with admission to attractions. 
The weekend of Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd December was discussed, to take in the Signing of the Lease Ceremony and the Christmas Lights Switch On.

Various accommodation providers and cafes/restaurants were discussed.

Mrs Benney was happy to put together an information pack covering local attractions, etcthat would form part of a welcome pack.

Proposed by:  Councillor Howell seconded and,

RECOMMENDED:  That a press weekend is organised and costed out.  In order to promote Bideford and its immediate surroundings by showcasing what we have to offer in the way of accommodation, food and entertainment as well as highlighting our own Heritage.
The accommodation, food, transport and entertainment would be sponsored by different outlets and especially by key tourism providers.

(Voted    For: 6, Against: 0)

028   TO DISCUSS CO-OPTING OUTSIDE MEMBERS ONTO THE TOURISM COMMITTEE

Members generally thought that brining in people from the Tourism Industry was a good idea.

The Chairman advised that some of the key players would be the ones to contact.

Proposed by: Councillor McGeough, seconded and

RECOMMENDED:  That in order to expand the scope of the Tourism Committee, co-opting of key members from the Tourism Industry would assist in enabling more events and tapping in to what is required locally.

(Voted:    For: 6, Against: 0)

029   TO DISCUSS THE BUDGET AND DESIGNS FOR NEXT YEAR’S PORT MEMORIAL FLOWER BED

Three designs were put together by the Maintenance Team for the flower bed at the Port Memorial for next year’s commemoration of the end of WWI .

The Clerk explained that flowers are not used for this type of project, as they die off and the definition of the picture would be lost.  So it is plants, and as we are moving with this a bit more quickly, the plants can be ready in time.  This would also make the costing more acceptable.  The maximum cost would be £2,000, the plants would be grown at Jigsaw Growmore

Proposed by:  Councillor Bushby, seconded and

RECOMMENDED:  That this Council agrees the cost of up to £2,000 to plant out the decorative bed at the Port Memorial to commmemorate 100 years since the ending of the First World War 1918 - 2018and that planting is started as soon as is required.

(Voted:    For: 6,  Against: 0)


030   DATE OF NEXT MEETING.

The next scheduled date for the Tourism Committee to meet will be Tuesday 12 September 2017 at 6pm in Council Chamber.

The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 6.50 pm.