New Alresford Town Council Draft Minutes of the Tourism Committee Meeting Wednesday 23^rd February 2011 at 6:30pm in the Station Buffet	0211
	Present: Cllrs. Phillips, Read, Cattle, Gentry, Jeffs, Tim Beere (Watercress Line), Minutes Clerk: Mrs S Bettridge
	Press/Public: City Cllr E.Jeffs
140	Apologies: Ellen Simpson (Winchester Tourism)
141	Declarations of interest: None
142	Minutes of the meeting 6^th October 2010 Proposed: Cllr. Phillips Seconded: Cllr. Cattle ALL AGREED
143	Public Questions None
144	Finance
144.1	Expenditure To Date The end of year forecast is expected to be about £800 overspent due to sponsorship not being obtained for the Up-the-Pole planters during 2010. Sponsors to be approached shortly. The new Millennium Trail leaflet also contributed to the forecasted overspend.
144.2	Budget 2010/11 Watercress Festival – contribution is being reduced in 2011. RG voiced his concern over the VIP. Believes it is not working as it should; takes a long time to react; maps are not helpful; information available not relevant to Tourists/visitors. This is being discussed at the Full Town Council meeting on 01 March 2011. RG also concerned that there is not a good selection of leaflets on display. Clerk to speak to Winchester Tourism regarding selection of leaflets and provision of list of available leaflets.	Clerk
145	Projects
145.1	Watercress Festival Resolutions for ratification at Full Town Council Resolution: to approve £1,250 for 2011 Watercress Festival alongwith free use of Stratton Bates for parking on the condition that any necessary repairs are paid for by the Watercress Festival Resolution: to approve £1,000 for 2012 Watercress Festival alongwith free use of Stratton Bates for parking on the condition that any necessary repairs are paid for by the Watercress Festival Proposed: Cllr. B Jeffs Seconded: Cllr. R Gentry (AGREED) JC reported that all seems to be on target. Waiting list for Broad St stalls, with possibility of some in Station Rd and if Hankins do not attend in West Street. Hildon Water and the Co-op are not supporting the Festival this year. BJ commented that complaints had been made regarding some shops not being open. JC - Amusements; band; farm; juggler; food and main ring all organised. The Dean to be closed with access only for residents and coaches to avoid traffic congestion experienced previously. Traffic plan meeting with AA scheduled for Tuesday 01 March.
145.2	Hanging Baskets/Bowser MP suggested increasing the price. RG commented that this could result in fewer baskets being ordered by residents. Investing money in the baskets is more beneficial to the town. Cllr E.Jeffs confirmed that Winchester City pay for their own. Should be seen as a contribution. The support of the residents is greater than support from businesses. Ideally a tier rate should be introduced as it is the businesses that benefit more from the decorating of the town. MP suggested increasing the prices slowly, starting with £37. Businesses can afford it and was sure residents could stretch to it. BJ would like to see it made clear to the purchasers what the overall cost to the council is. Possibly an item in the Forum to explain. Clerk to contact Roger Savage to request figure for 2011. Sponsorship needs to be looked into. JC agreed to approach Ceejays and Barclays. Clerk to provide list of previous sponsors. Basket flyers to be issued third week of March with mentions of ‘dead-heading not included’ and that ‘during hot weather additional watering by owners is required. TB mentioned ‘Alresford in Bloom’. RG advised that judging includes state of pavements etc. TB suggested not National but a local initiative. RG suggested more planters but these cost. JC advised that the district council said no to flowers on the roundabouts at either end of the Town. The Council is funding the cutting of the Bishop’s Sutton Road verges but wonders who is cutting the verge by the Jacklyn’s Lane sign.	Clerk JC/Clerk
145.3	Millennium/Alre Valley Trail Pete Bridges has corrected pot holes along Dean/Fulling Mill. Work currently being carried out on ‘old swimming pool’ in the Memorial Gardens. Removed crazy paving and drainage work has been carried out around the shelter. It is also boggy by the Lynchgate due to an old sump which appears to have filled up with earth and is not draining. PB is to drill holes to hopefully resolve. The Wednesday Conservation Volunteers do not seem to be so available for work and PB has not got the skill to do the edging boards along the river. We need to work out how to resolve it. Clerk to type up list of repairs and speak to Justin Harvey – HCC for contacts. The Trail info board located near the skateboard park has been damaged. Recommend not to replace for fear of further vandalism now the Youth Shelter has been installed. Artwork is under review as the logo is the not the Council and there appear to be some historic inaccuracies. Clerk to obtain quotes to replace signage materials. Suggested that the Trust maintain the Eel House info sign on the gate.	Clerk Clerk
145.4	Town Boundary Sign Clerk advised the meeting that the actual sign is at the Town Council office. Still in discussions with the liable person regarding whether it is an insurance claim or will they pay themselves.
146	Literature
146.1	Millennium/Alre Valley Trail Leaflets Clerk reported that only a small supply have been used to date.
146.2	Alresford Pocket Guide Stocks – information not available Resolution: to use Brochure Connect as distributor of 35,000 leaflets at a cost of £1,135.00 +V.A.T. Proposed: Cllr. M Phillips Seconded: Cllr. B Jeffs (AGREED) Chambers 2012 plans for the Guide – MP to speak to Simon Evans re: usage and next reprint. It was mentioned that the websites are rather confusing. Should the Chamber spend their money on an improved, more integrated website? One leaflet is used to get Tourists here and the second is for when they are here. TB suggests that there only needs to be one but with all the info. RG advised that the artwork on the Pocket Guide costs a lot more than the Trail.	MP
	Cllr Read left the meeting at 19:56
	The problem with two leaflets is paying for them. MP believes we may have to integrate the Pocket Guide and the Trails information if the Chamber can’t fund the Pocket Guide in future. Item to go onto next agenda – Chambers plans for 2012. It was reported that the Pocket Guide is now making a loss whereas they used to make a profit. TB advised that by reducing the leaflet print money would be saved. RG advised that we have to be careful as the Chamber represents businesses.	Clerk
147	Reports
147.1	Town Trust: RG reported that the final stage of the Eel House sluices restoration should be carried out in Spring.
139.2	Winchester Tourism None
139.3	Chamber of Commerce None
139.4	Watercress Line TB reported that overall there was the same number of passengers in 2010 as the year before. Accounts look to show a slight deficit. Snow did not affect the Watercress Line as much as other steam railways. Had to cancel a couple of dining trips at a loss of c.£25k and one whole day due to snow. Other places were out of action for days. Works at Eastleigh should be complete in 1½ years. The Lord Nelson to be done next. January was up on last year quite significantly and February is up already. Business appears to be heading in the right direction. Fares have been increased but it’s still early days to see what overall effect this has. Commuter travel – the unit used was not fit for purpose and this project has been put on the back-burner. There was a recruitment campaign last month for apprentices. Interviewing for supervisor + five staff ready for April when fire damaged shed is back on line.
	Date of next meeting: Wednesday 8^th June 2011 at 6.30pm in the Station Buffet The Chairman closed the meeting at 8:21pm Chair Signature__________________________ Date__________________