Development (Tourism and Promotion of Belfast) Sub-Committee 7 February 2007
From Nigov
Development Committee Wednesday, 7th February, 2007
MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT (TOURISM AND PROMOTION OF BELFAST) SUB-COMMITTEE
Members present
Councillor Hartley (Deputy Chairman) (in the Chair); and Councillors Adamson, M. Browne, Crozier, Hendron, Humphrey and Mullaghan.
In attendance
- Ms. S. McCay (Head of Economic Initiatives)
- Ms. O. Murtagh (Tourism Development Manager)
- Mr. G. Copeland (Events Manager)
- Mr. B. Flynn (Committee Administrator)
Apology
An apology for inability to attend was reported from the Chairman (Councillor D. Dodds).
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting of 10th January were taken as read and signed as correct.
Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau
The Sub-Committee considered the undernoted report which had prepared by the Tourism Development Manager in respect of the Council's proposed financial contribution towards the operation of the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau during the financial year 2007/2008.
It was reported that Mr. G. Lennon, Chief Executive of the Belfast Visitor Convention Bureau, together with Mr. K. Rogan and Ms. M. J. McCanny, were in attendance and they were admitted to the meeting and welcomed by the Deputy Chairman (Councillor Hartley).
Mr. Lennon reviewed the role of the Bureau and outlined its major achievements during the year. He then answered a number of questions which were put to him by the Members. The Sub-Committee was informed that the Bureau anticipated that there would be a significant short-fall in the funding which it would secure during the financial year 2007/2008. Therefore, Mr. Lennon indicated that it was possible that a request for additional funding from the Council would be forthcoming.
The Deputy Chairman (Councillor Hartley) thanked the representatives of the Bureau for attending and they retired from the meeting.
After discussion, the Sub-Committee adopted the recommendations contained within the report and granted funding to the Bureau in the sum of £1,274,670. It was noted, should a request for additional funding be made by the Bureau during the financial year 2007/2008, that it would be referred to the Policy and Resources Committee for consideration.
Cultural Tourism Visitor Management Plan
The Sub-Committee was reminded that, at its meetings held on 9th August and 8th November, it had agreed to the updating of the Council's Cultural Tourism Visitor Management Plan, which was to be extended to include a number of attractions in North, East and West Belfast, together with the Greater Shankill area. Accordingly, the Sub-Committee was advised that Mr. I. Henderson and Mr. P. Kendrick, representing the Council's consultants, TTC International, were in attendance and they were admitted to the meeting and welcomed by the Deputy Chairman (Councillor Hartley).
Mr. Henderson provided a presentation which outlined the principal aspects of the updated Cultural Tourism Visitor Management Plan. He referred to the additional sites which had been included within the extended Plan and outlined the criteria which had been used in assessing their viability for the provision of signage.
Messrs Henderson and Kendrick retired from the meeting.
A Member referred to the disproportionately small number of sites which had been included within the North of the City, when compared to other areas. He requested that the matter be investigated and that a further report be submitted identifying additional sites in North Belfast to be considered for the provision of signage.
The Sub-Committee agreed to defer consideration of the matter to enable a further report to be submitted.
Lagan Canal Restoration Trust
The Sub-Committee was reminded that, at its meeting held on 27th November, it had approved, in principle, a draft business plan for the establishment of a Lagan Canal Restoration Trust. At that meeting, additional information had been sought by a Member regarding the future viability of the project, following the implementation of the review of Review of Public Administration.
The Tourism Development Manager indicated, since the meeting in November, that she had been advised that, subsequent to the implementation of the Review, the new Councils which would be established would continue to oversee the work of the Trust. She reported that the Council's European Unit had advised her that the project might be eligible for funding under the Interreg (4a) Programme, which was due to commence in 2007. She pointed out also that the Council's Legal Services Department was considering the most appropriate arrangements for the establishment of a Trust to oversee the project. However, she stated, whilst the recommendation in the Business Plan had anticipated that the Council would contribute a sum of £14,500 per year, over a period of three years, that it would be prudent to review the Council's commitment in this regard.
Accordingly, she recommended, given the Members' concerns regarding the arrangements which would be necessary, taking account of the pending Review of Public Administration, that the Council fund the project for a two-year period only, at a cost of £14,500 in each of the next two financial years.
The Sub-Committee adopted to the recommendation.
Cultural Tourism Update
The Sub-Committee received an update regarding the Council's Cultural Tourism Strategy. It was reported that a successful Cultural Tourism Networking Event had been held on 12th December and that a number of prominent speakers had been in attendance.
Accordingly, the Tourism Development Manager requested the Sub-Committee's approval to host two additional Cultural Tourism Networking Events during 2007 at a cost not to exceed £6,000.
The Sub-Committee granted the authority sought.
Evening Economy
The Sub-Committee noted the contents of a report (This should be requested under Freedom of Information) which provided an update on the Council's Evening Economy Strategy.
Closure of Council Facilities
The Sub-Committee was reminded that during the period from April 2007 till October 2008 a number of prominent Council facilities, including the City Hall, the Ulster Hall, the Waterfront Hall and the Belfast Castle, would either be closed for refurbishment or would be subject to restricted access. In addition, the Ulster Museum and the Lagan Lookout would also be closed. The Tourism Development Manager suggested, since the closure of such facilities could impact upon the viability of the City as a tourist destination, that it might be appropriate to encourage a number of other attractions, inter alia, the Harbour Commissioners' Offices and the Custom House, to extend their opening hours to provide viable alternative sites for visitors.
After discussion, it was agreed that a meeting be sought with representatives of organisations responsible for various attractions in Belfast to discuss the feasibility of extending the opening arrangements at such facilities during the period in which the Council's attractions would be closed. In addition, it was agreed that the Council's representatives on the Harbour Commissioners be requested to raise this matter at a meeting of the Commission.
Go Belfast Awards - November 2007
It was reported that a request had been received from Penton Publications, publishers of the Go Belfast magazine, seeking the Council's endorsement for the Go Belfast Awards, which would take place in November. The Tourism Development Manger pointed out that no financial assistance had been requested and that, at this stage, the organisation was seeking only to use the Council's logo on any promotional material which might be produced in connection with the Awards.
The Sub-Committee granted the authority sought, subject, in line with the Council's Corporate Identity Guidelines, to the approval of the Council's Head of Corporate Communications.
Belfast-Nashville Sister City Linkage
The Sub-Committee was reminded that a deputation from the Council had undertaken a visit to Nashville during the Autumn of 2006. The Tourism Development Manager pointed out that the Belfast Nashville Songwriters' Festival would take place in Belfast from 21st till 25th February and it had been suggested that a reciprocal visit be undertaken by a Nashville delegation during that time. In addition, it was reported that a request for funding in the sum of £5,000 had been received from the Ulster-Scots Agency regarding the development of a Belfast-Nashville guide, which would highlight the links between the two cities.
After discussion, the Sub-Committee agreed that an invitation be extended to the Mayor of Nashville to undertake a reciprocal visit to coincide with the Belfast Nashville Songwriters' Festival and that hospitality be extended to the deputation in accordance with the Council's agreed limits. In addition, the Sub-Committee agreed to fund, in the sum of £5,000, the production of a Belfast-Nashville guide, by the Ulster-Scots Agency.
Conference Subvention - Irish League of Credit Unions
The Tourism Development Manager advised the Sub-Committee that the Irish League of Credit Unions would be holding, in the Waterfront Hall, on 28th and 29th April, its Biennial Meeting. The organisers had indicated that the Meeting would attract approximately 2,000 delegates, the majority of whom would be staying in hotel accommodation throughout the City, and had applied to the Council for financial assistance towards the costs of the event. The application had been assessed in accordance with the agreed funding criteria and, accordingly, she recommended, since the event would enhance the image of the City as an international conference and leisure destination, that a subvention in the sum of £3,500 be allocated to the hosting of the Meeting.
Post Event Report for Christmas 2006
The Events Manager referred to the Council's Christmas Events Programme, which had taken place from 21st November till 19th December. He indicated that the Programme, excluding the numbers who attended the Christmas Continental Market, had attracted an estimated 564,605 persons into the City. He pointed out that a survey had determined that the total economic benefit to the City had been in the region of £5 million and that over 90% of visitors had rated the Programme positively.
Accordingly, he sought the Sub-Committee's approval to undertake a similar Programme of Events in 2007. However, given the forthcoming closure of the City Hall, it was recommended that, whilst the traditional Christmas lights switch-on event would take place as scheduled, the associated post-event hospitality, which would normally have taken place in the City Hall, be not provided in 2007.
The Sub-Committee granted the authority sought.
Post Event Report - New Year's Eve 2006
The Sub-Committee considered the undernoted report.
After discussion, the Sub-Committee agreed that the Council should continue to provide New Years Eve's entertainment at the City Hall. It was agreed also that the amount received by the Council in insurance claims arising out of the cancellation of the event in 2006 should be utilised to fund the event in 2007.
Lord Mayor's Show
The Sub-Committee considered the undernoted report which had been prepared by the Head of Economic Initiatives regarding the amalgamation of the Lord Mayor's Show and the Belfast Carnival.
After discussion, the Sub-Committee agreed that the Lord Mayor's Show and the Belfast Carnival be amalgamated under the terms outlined within the report.
International Highland Dance Competition
The Sub-Committee was advised that the International Highland Dance Competition, which would be organised by the Ulster-Scots Heritage Council and the Ulster-Scots Dance Alliance, would be taking place in the Waterfront Hall on 10th and 11th August.
The Events Manager reported that a request had been received from the organisers to provide funding towards the event in the sum of £5,500. He recommended, given the significance of the event and the number of visitors which would be attracted to the City, that the Sub-Committee accede to the request for funding in the sum of £5,500.
The Committee adopted the recommendation.
Titanic Forum
The Sub-Committee was reminded that the Council, in 2003, had agreed to the formation of a Titanic Forum which included representatives from the public, private and voluntary sectors, together with the Chairman and other Party representatives of the Sub-Committee. The Forum had overseen the strategic direction of the Council's Titanic-related activities. The Events Manager indicated that a number of key Titanic activities would take place over the forthcoming months, including the Council's Titanic Made in Belfast event and the submission to the Titanic Alliance for a Big Lottery grant and it would be necessary to reconvene the Forum in order to provide guidance on the forthcoming activities.
The Sub-Committee agreed that the Forum be reconvened.
Chairman
