Agenda item

Aelodau'r Pwyllgor i dderbyn diweddariad mewn perthynas â Strategaeth Dwristiaeth Ddrafft y Cyngor.

The Director – Prosperity & Development presented the report to Members in order to set out the results of the public consultation exercise carried out on the draft Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) Tourism Strategy. Members were informed that the report seeks the views of the Committee on the draft RCT Tourism Strategy as amended, ahead of the Strategy being reported to Cabinet for final approval.

Members were advised that a RCT Tourism Strategy has been produced, which highlights key tourism related priorities and will be used to underpin all work and effort, ensuring a coordinated and integrated approach and that this is currently in draft format. The Director advised that the report sets out the results of the public consultation exercise carried out on the draft RCT Tourism Strategy, identifying that overall, respondents are supportive of the Strategy and its contents, and welcome the proposals. The draft RCT Tourism Strategy has been updated to incorporate some minor amends (brought about from comments put forward during the consultation) and it is recommended in this report that this Committee endorses this Strategy document.

Discussions ensued and the Chair thanked the Director for providing such a detailed overview. The Chair raised a query in respect of motorhomes and asked what the plan is in respect of motorhomes that will be frequenting the County Borough. The Director advised that this is a relatively new issue for the department and that the key issue going forward will be develop an action plan in respect of accommodation and emphasised that this is also a key topic nationally. The Chair then queried whether the department has conducted research into what other areas on the continent are doing in respect of motorhomes. The Director emphasised that the team is still in the early stages of its research and the Strategic Manager confirmed that the team is currently looking at other areas of best practice in order to see how RCT can drive forward its offering.

Discussions continued and Councillor S. Rees-Owen queried what work will be done in our theatres to attract people back to the sector and also queried whether all the signs in our towns and villages have signposts at the boundary of each ward. In respect of signage, the Director advised Members that the team are currently looking at developing a unique signage strategy to showcase what RCT has on offer and that a workshop of officers will come together shortly to develop the strategy in more detail. In respect of RCT theatres, the Director confirmed that meetings are underway at a strategic level and that the importance of giving RCT residents the opportunities t use local attractions will be a key issue going forward. The Strategic Manager also advised that meetings have taken place with the Arts & Culture team and that both teams recognise the link between tourism and the arts and assured Members that this is an avenue that they are pursuing.

Councillor Bradwick also advised Members that the arts and theatres is an item on the forward work plan for the Public Service Deliveries, Communities & Prosperity Scrutiny Committee and he invited Councillor S. Rees-Owen to attend on that item. Councillor Bradwick also praised the work being done in the Dare Valley Country Park.

Councillor S. Evans queried whether it would be possible to have a comprehensive leaflet in respect of he history and culture on offer within the County Borough. The Director advised Members that the team recently secured some heritage lottery fund money to do a full mapping and audit of historical sites within RCT and aligned with that is its ‘living history’ piece of research being undertaken where stories and legends are captured from oldr generations.

Discussions ensued and Councillor Boggis emphasised the importance of doing outside theatre work to encourage residents to go back into theatres when they do eventually open back up.

The Chair continued the discussion and queried whether the team could provide him with a percentage of tickets that are allocated to users who live within the Pontypridd area. He noted that people who live close to the area will not have an impact on carbon footprint because they can walk to the Park. The Chair also echoed the comment by Councillor Boggis and noted the importance of events taking place outdoors within our communities. In respect of the Lido, the Director confirmed that the question will be sent on to the appropriate team to answer and the information will be supplied back to the Committee.  In terms of performers being out on the street, the Director confirmed that this is still a challenge for the Authority whilst we are still in the pandemic but he assured Members that it is something that will be considered going forward. The Director also advised that there will be delivery plans and action plans coming out of the Tourism strategy, which could subsequently be shared with Members of the Committee in the future. The Director also confirmed that it may be possible in the future to conduct a Members survey where Elected Members are asked to provide ideas in respect of local tourism attractions or any recommendations that they may have for local food establishments etc throughout the County Borough. The Strategic Manager also added that the team are currently working on the updated visitor guide in RCT and that when it’s ready the guide could be distributed to Members.

Discussions ensued and Councillor J. Williams noted her agreement with the Chair’s comments in respect of the Lido. Councillor Fox also emphasised that the splashpad in Aberdare and other splashpads are all run by volunteers and commended the work done by local volunteer groups in the community. In respect of the Lido, Councillor Fox referenced the visitors book and noted that the visitors book demonstrates that visitors attend from all over the country.

A further point was raised by Councillor Thomas and he queried whether a manufacturing strategy will also come within the RCT Tourism strategy. The Director confirmed that the team is working collaboratively with colleagues across the Cardiff Capital Region on a site premises strategy, particularly focusing on the heads of the valleys. The Director confirmed that he would be happy to bring that piece of work forward to the Committee at a future date.

Following discussion, Members RESOLVED to approve the draft RCT Tourism Strategy prior to it being presented to the Cabinet.