Issue - meetings

Issues for Decision

To consider the approval and adoption of the Destination Management Plan for the Borough of Maidstone, and;

To consider endorsing the Action Plan accompanying the Destination Management Plan.

Decision Made

1)  That the Committee approve and adopt the Destination Management Plan for the Borough of Maidstone and endorse the Action Plan accompanying the Destination Management Plan provided a member representative from each Service Committee is included in the membership of relevant Task and Finish Groups; and

2)  That Councillor David Pickett be nominated as a member of the Destination Management Plan Steering Group.

The Head of Commercial and Economic Development and Ruth Wood from Visit Kent addressed the Committee providing a presentation on the contents of the report and the process taken for the development of the Destination Management Plan (DMP).  It was explained that with a DMP in place it would unlock sources of funding for the Council and businesses within the borough.

The Committee noted that members of the DMP Steering Group would include two Officers, a nominated representative from this Committee and various stakeholders from across the borough.  Linking the plan with other departments across the Council (i.e Street Cleaning) would be picked up through Task and Finish Groups which would include relevant Officers.  The Task and Finish Group subjects would be identified early on and prioritised.

The Committee agreed it was important to ensure all Council service areas were fully included in the development of the plan and this could be achieved by including a representative from each Service Committee on Task and Finish Groups looking at areas relevant to their terms of reference.

The Committee also agreed there needed to be a balance between promoting events and protecting heritage when moving the plan forward.

Voting

That the Committee approve and adopt the Destination Management Plan for the Borough of Maidstone and endorse the Action Plan accompanying the Destination Management Plan provided a member representative from each Service Committee is included in the membership of relevant Task and Finish Groups:

For: 9

That Councillor David Pickett be nominated as a member of the Destination Management Plan Steering Group:

For: 9  Against: 0  Abstentions: 0