Issue - items at meetings - Advisory Board for Tourism

Report of the Assistant Chief Executive (copy attached)

RESOLVED – That the principle of establishing a Tourism Advisory Board for Brighton and Hove be approved.

7.1       The Committee considered a report of the Assistant Chief Executive seeking Member support for the establishment of a Tourism Advisory Board for Brighton & Hove.

7.2       The Head of Tourism and Leisure explained that it was intended that Members of the Board would provide advice, support and guidance to the Council in order to ensure that the Tourism Strategy and activities of its officers were aligned with the needs of the tourism industry as a whole in Brighton and Hove. It was intended that the establishment of this Board would facilitate deeper engagement and collaboration between the council and tourism stakeholders within the city.

7.3       Councillor Brown welcomed the report and proposals contained within it acknowledging that the landscape of tourism in the city had changed significantly over recent years, Her only reservation was that great care needed to be taken in appointing Board members in order to ensure that they represented the broad spectrum of tourism interests across the city.

7.4       Councillor Hawtree also welcomed the report referring to the purpose, scope, principal tasks, board membership organisation set out at Appendix 1 to the report. He was pleased to note that relevant trade organisations were to be represented in recognition of the important role of this sector.

7.5       Councillor Bowden, the Chair explained that there was no shortage of local retailers and others who had expressed an eagerness to be involved, but it was considered important to ensure that the relevant trade organisations were included.

7.6       Councillor Buckley referred to the importance of tapping into the potential that arose from the increased popularity of the “staycation” in response to the current economic situation.

7.7       Councillor Morgan asked how the Board would relate to the other partnerships which already existed across the city. The Chair considered that it was important to ensure that there was information sharing and collaboration without duplication. The Head of Tourism and Leisure confirmed that this was acknowledged as being very important, in consequence the precise membership of the Board had yet to be established, it was important to note that it did not impact on the Committees’ own decision making role and that it was intended to build upon the networks and co-operative working which already existed.

7.8       Councillor Fitch also commended the work that had taken place to date in establishing the Board and stressed the importance of tapping into existing expertise and knowledge.

7.9       RESOLVED – That the principle of establishing a Tourism Advisory Board for Brighton and Hove be approved.