Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to report of the Destination Management Officer.

Councillor L. Parsons declared an interest in this matter.

The Destination Management Officer presented the report which provided a summary of the Blaenau Gwent Destination Management Plan, which was a strategic document setting out the priorities for tourism development in Blaenau Gwent over the period 2020-2025, and which complemented the new Visit Wales Tourism Action Plan over the same period.  The aim of the Plan was to ensure that people, businesses and organisations work together in a coordinated way to deliver agreed targets and priorities for investment.

The Plan identified six cross cutting themes and five main themes and priority areas, and these were highlighted at section 2.3 of the report. The Plan and associated Action Plan have taken account of national, strategic and local trends and priorities, and has been developed by the Destination Partnership which included representatives from the private, public and third sectors.

A Member said there seemed to be a lack of information leaflets promoting Blaenau Gwent available in other tourist areas, and asked whether there were plans to address this moving forward, and also more information for the local community.

The Officer said there were a number of leaflets available, however, due to the Covid pandemic establishments were reluctant to stock them.  However, some postal deliveries of leaflets had been undertaken, and information on local walks etc. was available on the Blaenau Gwent website.  The Officer confirmed that an electronic version of the Blaenau Gwent Destination Guide was currently in the process of being upgraded, and once completed would be circulated.  She undertook to e.mail a copy of last year’s Guide to Members for information.

A Member commended the work of the Team, but felt that the Communications Section could be more proactive in promoting the work of the Team.

In response the Officer said most of the communications for the Team was done through Southern Wales, and hopefully in due course when restrictions are lifted, promotion of tourism within Blaenau Gwent would continue.

A Member said he was disappointed with a number of areas within the report, namely:

·        The reference to ‘good transport links’, in light of the fact that the Scrutiny Committee had agreed to develop a Task and Finish Group to look at transport provision within the Borough.

·        Page 38 ‘expanded locations and installed public counters’, he enquired as to the location of the counters.

·        Reference to local events, he questioned why the Remembrance Parade was included as this was an annual event, but other key events that regularly took place had been omitted.

·        P.39 where it referred to a new Ebbw Vale Business Group, and said he was not aware of this Group.

·        Accommodation within the Borough and whether they were subject to regular checks.

·        The condition of the Cholera Cemetery at Cefn Golau, and lack of signage and information.

·        Whether the proposed information boards on walkways had been installed.

The Officer responded was follows:

·        Extra counters had been installed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7