Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Director of Place & Economy providing an update on town centre health, projects and activities undertaken by the Growth, Economy and Delivery Team during the last couple of months.

The Group received, and NOTED, a report * from the Director of Place & Economy providing an update on activities carried out by the Growth, Economy and Delivery Team since the last committee meeting.

The contents of the report were outlined with particular reference to the following:

·         There had been an increase year on year of vacancy rates, however, all three town centres had vacancy levels below the national average between quarters 3 and 4.

·         The new Green Enterprise Grants Scheme launched for applications in April but was now closed. At the time of the report 14 businesses had requested the application, although one was ineligible as it was out-of-area.

·         The bid for a Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) was successfully approved by Visit England.  Devon County Council were acting as the accountable body for the LVEP and were in the process of setting up a steering group. It was likely it would take around 12 months for the LVEP to get up and running, therefore the Economic Development Team would continue to progress the review of the Destination Management Plan (DMP) with the intention of linking this into the LVEP’s Destination Plan once published.  As part of the DMP research, the team had commissioned a visitor survey which was being conducted over the May and Summer school holiday periods; the results of this would be fed back to Members later in the year.

Discussion took place with regard to:

·         The demise of the Tourist Information Centres several years ago and whether the District Council could do anything to help? It was explained that no funding was available at the moment but officers were in the process of commencing work on a Destination Management Plan and Members would have the opportunity to comment on this as it was developed.

·         There was currently a lack of clarity as to what would happen once the SPF and REPF funding programmes have ended. Officers would continue to pursue potential grant funding opportunities as, and when, they became available.

Note: * Report previously circulated.