Issue - meetings

This report presents an opportunity for WECA to support the visitor economy in the West of England region.

The following was approved:

Unanimous decision of Constituent Authorities Excluding Mayor

1. To allocate a total of up to £80K from the WECA investment fund to support the regional tourism promotional exercise identified in paragraph 2.8 of this report.

2. To allocate a total of up to £20K from the WECA investment fund to support the regional visitor economy study identified in paragraph 2.9.1 of this report.

Majority decision of Constituent authorities and the Combined Authority Mayor:

3. To delegate to the West of England Combined Authority Chief Executive, in consultation with the West of England Chief Executives, authority to make all necessary arrangements for the allocation and application of this funding in accordance with the objectives set out in this report.

4. To request the WECA Chief Executive bring a report back to WECA upon completion of the projects setting out the outcomes and options available as appropriate.

5. To delegate to the Section 151 Officer to make all necessary amendments to the WECA and Mayoral Budgets as appropriate to reflect the approved allocation of investment funding.

The Chair moved a report which presented an opportunity for the West of England Combined Authority to support the visitor economy in the West of England Region. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Toby Savage.

The report stated that the visitor economy was a key contributor to the West of England region. The report proposed that the Combined Authority explored the benefits of a more regional approach to marketing the area through the provision of funding for two initiatives, namely a regional tourism promotional exercise and a regional visitor economy study.

Councillor Tim Warren stated that the visitor economy is vitally important in Bath and North East Somerset, however, a gap existed with the corporate business visitors for the period Monday – Thursday. Mayor Bowles stated that there were lots of business people that could be attracted due to the excellent conference facilities available. Mayor Marvin Rees agreed that part of the reason for the attraction was the motorway links and showcasing industrial or destination offer.

Councillor Toby Savage agreed that South Gloucestershire already had lots of attractions for the weekend tourist such as Aerospace Museum, Wild Place, The Wave and it was precisely the correct time to bring forward such an initiative.

The Chair moved to the voting which was in line with the constitution.

The following was approved:

Unanimous decision of Constituent Authorities Excluding Mayor

1. To allocate a total of up to £80K from the WECA investment fund to support the regional tourism promotional exercise identified in paragraph 2.8 of this report.

2. To allocate a total of up to £20K from the WECA investment fund to support the regional visitor economy study identified in paragraph 2.9.1 of this report.

Majority decision of Constituent authorities and the Combined Authority Mayor:

3. To delegate to the West of England Combined Authority Chief Executive, in consultation with the West of England Chief Executives, authority to make all necessary arrangements for the allocation and application of this funding in accordance with the objectives set out in this report.

4. To request the WECA Chief Executive bring a report back to WECA upon completion of the projects setting out the outcomes and options available as appropriate.

5. To delegate to the Section 151 Officer to make all necessary amendments to the WECA and Mayoral Budgets as appropriate to reflect the approved allocation of investment funding.