Issue - items at meetings - Tourism Advisory Board

Report of the Assistant Chief Executive (copy attached)

38.1    The Committee considered a report of the Assistant Chief Executive seeking member support to establish a Tourism Advisory Board for Brighton and Hove.

38.2    The Head of Tourism and Venues explained that the Board would provide advice, support and guidance to Brighton & Hove City Council, ensuring that the Tourism Strategy and activities of Officers is aligned with the needs of the tourism industry in Brighton & Hove. The establishment of this Board would facilitate deeper engagement and collaboration between Brighton & Hove City Council and tourism stakeholders within the City.

38.3   

38.4   

38.--    RESOLVED - That the Tourism Advisory Board is established with the Terms of Reference at Appendix 1 and with the composition as included in Appendix 2 to the report.

38.1    The Committee considered a report of the Assistant Chief Executive seeking member support to establish a Tourism Advisory Board for Brighton and Hove.

38.2    The Head of Tourism and Leisure explained that the Board would provide advice, support and guidance to Brighton & Hove City Council, ensuring that the Tourism Strategy and activities of Officers iwas aligned with the needs of the tourism industry in Brighton & Hove. The establishment of this Board would facilitate deeper engagement and collaboration between Brighton & Hove City Council and tourism stakeholders within the City.

38.3    Councillor Brown stated that although she generally welcomed the proposals, overall the number of Board Members did seem to be high, she believed that it had been envisaged originally that this body would have an independent Chair rather that being Chaired by the Chair of the Committee which could be anomalous in that the Chair could bring forward recommendations from Board meetings he had Chaired to the Council Committee of which he was also Chair. Councillor Buckley enquired regarding the frequency at which Membership of the Board would change, also stating that she was disappointed that a relatively small number of women had been appointed.

38.4    The Chair, Councillor Bowden responded that it was the intention to have an independent Chair for the Board and that would be put into place after the first meeting. Membership of the Board took account of the interest groups it was deemed could provide valuable input to the Board and in recognition that Members were unlikely to be able to attend every meeting. It was anticipated that smaller sub groups would be set up to “task and finish” on certain topics. In such instances if groups or individuals who were not represented on the Board were considered to possess particular knowledge or expertise they would be invited to give their input.

38.5    The Head of Tourism and Leisure explained that it was intended that the existing arrangements would be remain in place for a two year period, although this would be kept under review.

38.6    Councillor Hawtree sought clarification regarding the role and accountabilities of the Board and it was explained that its role was advisory, whilst it could bring recommendations to the Committee it lay with elected Members (the Committee) to approve or reject them.

38.7    RESOLVED - That the Tourism Advisory Board is established with the Terms of Reference at Appendix 1 and with the composition as included in Appendix 2 to the report.