Draft

New Alresford Town Council

Draft Minutes of the Tourism Committee Meeting

Wednesday 8th June 2011

at 6:30pm in the Station Buffet

 

0611

 

Present: Cllrs. Griffiths, Cattle, Evans, Gentry, Power, Tim Beere (Watercress Line), Ellen Simpson (Winchester Tourism)

Minutes Clerk: Mrs S Bettridge

 

 

 

Press/Public:  None

 

 

148

Vice-Chair: Cllr. Evans

Proposed: Cllr. Gentry   Seconded: Cllr. Cattle (AGREED)

Cllr Evans declared Vice-Chair 2010/11

 

 

149

Apologies: Cllr. Read

 

 

150

Declarations of interest: None

 

 

151

 

Minutes of the meeting 23rd February 2011

Proposed: Cllr.Cattle     Seconded: Cllr. Gentry  (AGREED)

 

 

152

Public Questions None

 

 

153

Finance

 

 

Discussed increase in distribution costs budget. Clerk advised that there was no charge made by the distributors to collect the leaflets last year but this has been incorporated this year.

Telephone charges for the VIP were queried. Clerk advised that there will be no more costs incurred for this as both line rental and broadband have been cancelled.  Clerk to contact Peter Bridges to arrange removal of equipment from the Watercress Line for storage at Arlebury Park for 6 months.  TB to be notified when this is happening.  Ownership of the equipment needs to be investigated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clerk

154

Projects

 

154.1

Watercress Festival

Very high number of visitors this year with good weather resulting in a successful event.  It is likely to have made a profit but final figures not confirmed.  The church was very busy on the day taking approx. £2k helping with the funding towards the bells.  Thanks were expressed to Tim Beere and the Watercress Line for their support this year.  The date for festival has been set at the third Sunday of May – 20th May 2012.  The ‘Best of British Festival ~ Hampshire District’ – a platform event to promote local events during a set period is being launched ~ this will include the Watercress Festival.  Will attract a lot of media attention.  TB reported that next year, due to the diesel engines being sold off, the Watercress Line is likely to be using steam engines.  This will allow for more capacity but will increase the cost.  The Watercress Line currently receives £3k from the Watercress Festival for a mix of things.  There were Health & Safety concerns this year due to the number of people waiting on the platform.

 

 

154.2

Hanging Baskets/Bowser

Clerk reported on this year’s scheme

102 x baskets  ~  5 x Troughs  ~  2 x Watering only  ~  £1,100 in sponsorship received/pledged. 

Cllr Gentry thanked the Clerk for the work on this project.

 

 

154.3

Millennium/Alre Valley Trail

Plans for work to be carried out during June have been put on hold due to the area now under new ownership.  The Environment Agency (EA) is currently involved with this area and it is felt that it is inappropriate for the Council to continue but to express our concerns to the new owner and EA.

HCC carry out 1 cut of the vegetation along the trail.  In addition the Council carry out additional maintenance between the Dean and Fulling Mill.  Low water level caused by extraction by fish farm.

 

154.4

Town Boundary Sign

Currently with our Insurance Company – awaiting confirmation to go ahead with works. Clerk to continue to chase.

 

 

 

Clerk

155

Literature

 

155.1

Millennium/Alre Valley Trail Leaflets

Stock currently at 15,000.  Winchester Tourism selected this leaflet to be ‘Pick of the Month’ during May.

 

 

 

155.2

Alresford Pocket Guide

Stocks – 9,000 in storage in addition to stock held at Winchester Tourism

Cllr Evans advised that the Pocket Guide will be dramatically different in future.  More use of website resulting in printed versions reducing.  The leaflet is an important tool.  Release is likely to be early next year.  Currently being driven by new members of the Chamber wanting a more modern and usable tool.  (Should remember that any funding required from NATC should be agreed in advance)

 

156

Tourism Strategy

 

 

Needs to be reviewed especially as the objectives haven’t been achieved.  Suggested that we ask Perins for help using Survey Monkey.  ES currently updating Winchesters and will send over Eloise Appleby’s original.  ES enquired how this sits in the Town’s Economic Strategy which does not exist.  ES to send over Winchester’s Economic Strategy as well.

 

 

157

Reports

 

157.1

Winchester Tourism

Attached.  Suggested funding be used to update Millennium/Alre Trail Posters.

 

 

157.2

Chamber of Commerce

SE requested that Andrew Merry and Jennifer Hiorns be removed from this distribution list as no longer Committee Members.  There are 9 people on the Chamber Committee with 4 being new – first meeting next week.  Funding is through membership fees with only nominal wage costs.  Currently 92 members.

 

 

157.3

Watercress Line

TB reported that there has been a 15% increase on standard travel despite a small increase in fares.  This is the first time in 3 years that the fares have been increased.  This year’s March Spring Gala was the 2nd best with the 2010 being the best.  The Thomas event in April was 5% down, possibly due to the hot weather but good in comparison to other location Thomas events.  The dynamics of the children’s market has changed and Thomas is not as important as it used to be.

Hoping for good weather for the War on the Line 2 day event.

15th May was the anniversary of the website re-launch.

Won an award from Heritage Railway Association for the Watercress Line timetable leaflet. ES congratulated Tim/Watercress Line.

There has been an increase in traffic through Alton possibly due to more visitors using the rail link.  There are parking issues due to the area previously used now dedicated to Supermarket.

When asked what support the Watercress Line expects from the Tourism Committee, TB responded continual dialogue.

 

 

 

 

Date of next meeting: Wednesday 5th October 2011 at 6.30pm in the Station Buffet

 

The Chairman closed the meeting at 7:55pm

 

 

Chair Signature__________________________    Date__________________