To receive apologies for absence and any substitutes that may be notified.

There were no apologies for absence.

Members are reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter in which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

Members were reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter in which they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of debate.

To consider the minutes of the Enterprise and Growth Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 4^th September 2014.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 4^th September 2014 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any questions, statements and petitions of which members of the public have given notice.  Deadline for notification is 5.00pm on Monday 6^th October 2014. 

There were no Public Questions.

To receive any questions, statements and petitions of which Members of the Council have given notice.  Deadline for notification is 5.00pm on Monday 6^th October 2014.

There were no questions from Members.

To receive an update from the Visitor Economy Manager on the Visitor Economy Team’s approach to supporting the tourism sector, and on progress made working with the Destination Partnerships and delivering the Visitor Economy Strategies in northern Shropshire, Shrewsbury, Shropshire Hills & Ludlow, and Bridgnorth.

The Tourism Officer described the localities covered by the four Destination Partnership areas which comprised of North, South, Shrewsbury and Bridgnorth, and the partnerships which supported them. 

The Visitor Economy Manager explained that Shropshire Council worked closely with the private sector, voluntary sector and other members of the public sector to provide robust structures, clear strategies, actions and plans to continually improve the visitor experience and encourage tourists to return to the area and stay longer. 

Members noted that tourism was an important aspect of Shropshire’s economy and that the Visitor Economy Team was working closely with the Business Growth Re-design Team. It was acknowledged that as the Business Growth Re-Design Team developed their commissioning model, the Visitor Economy team would work with them to map over the visitor economy delivery options into the commissioning model. 

Work with the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) partners to promote the whole area was discussed and the possibility of increased access to European Funding was noted. 

Mandy Thorn, the Chairman of the Shropshire Business Board, was invited to speak.  She expressed support for the work that had been undertaken to promote the visitor economy and emphasised the importance of continuing to bid for European funding. She added that with regard to the application for LEP funding, it was important to demonstrate when bidding, that projects could be delivered.  The Deputy Portfolio Holder for Business Growth added that Central Government and European Funding providers also considered evidence of job creation as an important application criteria for a successful funding bid.

In response to a Member’s query, the Visitor Economy Manager agreed that it was vital to identify and use existing resources to their best advantage as well as working with partners to ensure efficient use of all resources. 

A Member asked for clarification of the Cambridge Model referred to in the report and the Visitor Economy Manager agreed to ascertain whether it took into account internal county tourism and displaced expenditure.

Members asked for information regarding the promotion of Shropshire overseas, as it was recognised that overseas visitors were likely to stay longer and spend more. The Visitor Economy Manager explained that limited resources meant that promotion overseas had to be targeted and that particular areas of the world had been identified.  He continued that much of the promotion work was done through building good working relationships with overseas press officers.  A Member suggested that with such a small budget it was necessary to identify and prioritise emerging markets. 

In response to a Member’s query the Visitor Economy Manager agreed that much work was undertaken with large national bodies, such as the National Trust and Visit England, to encourage them to promote the area nationally. 

Referring to tourism promotion within Shrewsbury the Visitor Economy Manager explained that the earlier reports had been based on the expected development of the Riverside that had subsequently not gone ahead, and advised that the figures would be revised through Destination Shrewsbury.  The Visitor Economy team would work closely with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

To consider the draft terms of reference for scrutiny of the Economic Growth Redesign and to consider whether to establish a Task and Finish Group to undertake this work.   

Members considered the scoping document for the proposed Economic Growth Redesign Task and Finish Group.  It was agreed that the group would comprise of four or five Members and all Members would be invited to express an interest in serving on this Group.

It was noted that due to the timeframes involved the work would be done rapidly.

RESOLVED:

That the Economic Growth Redesign Task and Finish Group be established in accordance with the terms of reference detailed in the scoping document.

To consider the proposals for the future work programme.  The current work programme and Cabinet Forward Plan are attached.

It was agreed that the Head of Public Protection would be invited to attend the next meeting of the Enterprise and Growth Scrutiny Committee on the 6^th November 2014 to provide information on the new Licensing Policy. 

RESOLVED:

That an additional meeting of the Committee be held on the 6^th November 2014 be added to the Committee Diary to consider the new Licensing Policy.

Thursday 6^th November 2014 at 10.00 am – suggested additional date

Thursday 4^th December 2014 at 10.00 am

Thursday 29^th January 2015 at 10.00am

Thursday 2^nd April 2015 at 10.00 am

RESOLVED:

That the Committee next meets on Thursday 6^th November 2014.