Issue - meetings

(Report of Chief Executive)

The report provided information on the Service Level Agreements that the Borough Council currently had with two tourism bodies – Visit Kent and Tourism South East – and set out proposals for 2017/18.

It was proposed that the Borough Council did not enter into a new annual agreement with Tourism South East as there was more scope for Tonbridge and Malling to have a higher profile with Visit Kent at a county rather than regional level. 

In addition, it was proposed that the Service Level Agreement (SLA) with Visit Kent was retained but at a reduced level of up to a maximum of £3,500 for 2017/18.  However, the SLA would look to retain the activities set out in paragraph 1.4.3 of the report as a minimum.

These proposals offered potential additional savings on existing budgets and represented better value for money. 

Following consideration by the Economic Regeneration Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration resolved that:

(1)   The proposal to not renew the Service Level Agreement with Tourism South East in 2017/18 be agreed;

(2)   The proposal to reduce the Service Level Agreement with Visit Kent in 2017/18 to a maximum of £3,500 be agreed; and

(3)   The inclusion of activities set out in paragraph 1.4.3 of the report be agreed.

Decision Notice D170048MEM

The report provided information on the Service Level Agreements that the Borough Council currently had with two tourism bodies – Visit Kent and Tourism South East – and set out proposals for 2017/18.

It was proposed that the Borough Council did not enter into a new annual agreement with Tourism South East as there was more scope for Tonbridge and Malling to have a higher profile with Visit Kent at a county rather than regional level. 

In addition, it was proposed that the Service Level Agreement (SLA) with Visit Kent was retained but at a reduced level of up to a maximum of £3,500 for 2017/18.  However, the SLA would look to retain the activities set out in paragraph 1.4.3 of the report as a minimum.

These proposals offered potential additional savings on existing budgets. 

Members recognised the value of promoting the Borough as a tourist destination for the benefit of businesses, leisure facilities and other places of interest. 

RECOMMENDED:  That:

(1)         the proposal to not renew the Service Level Agreement with Tourism South East in 2017/18 be agreed;

(2)         the proposal to reduce the Service Level Agreement with Visit Kent in 2017/18 to a maximum of £3,500 be agreed; and

(3)         the inclusion of activities set out in paragraph 1.4.3 of the report be agreed.