Agenda item

Derbyn adroddiad (a chyflwyniad i gyd-fynd â'r adroddiad) gan y Cyfarwyddwr Materion Ffyniant a Datblygu i gael barn yr Aelodau mewn perthynas â Strategaeth Dwristiaeth a Chynllun Rheoli Cyrchfannau arfaethedig Rhondda Cynon Taf.

The Director of Prosperity and Development presented his report to Members in respect of the Council’s draft Tourism Strategy and Destination Management Plan.

A presentation was provided to accompany the report and Members were asked to provide feedback on the relevant issues to help shape a strategy to develop RCT as a key visitor destination.

The Director of Prosperity and Development advised the Committee that the feedback would be used to inform a draft strategy, which will be reported to Cabinet in the autumn for consideration.

Members were provided with information in respect of the following areas:-

·         The ambition of the plan;

·         Geographical Areas to be covered;

·         Infrastructure requirements;

·         Hospitality and accommodation requirements;

·         Employment and Skills;

·         Public and Stakeholder engagement; and

·         Key next steps and actions.

The Director emphasised that RCT already has a strong core of visitor attractions such as the Royal Mint and Penderyn Whiskey, however the strategy aims to look at what other attractions can be brought forward. The presentation referenced potential new activities such as Zip World and the Rhondda Tunnel.

Following the presentation, discussions ensued and the Chair thanked the Director of Prosperity and Development for providing such a detailed presentation and asked if a copy of the presentation could be shared with Members of the Finance and Performance Committee following the meeting.

Councillor G. Thomas also thanked the Director for providing such an encouraging presentation and went on to raise concerns in respect of food businesses in RCT closing before 9pm and the subsequent negative effect that this could potentially have on tourism. The Councillor commented that in order for the strategy to be successful further work would need to be done to support new tourist attractions such as improving local café’s, shops, toilet facilities and rail access. The Chair agreed and referenced the Rhigos railway line and the need for improved toilet facilities.

Councillor G. Thomas also commented that the Council would need to ensure that a range of accommodation is available to tourists throughout the County Borough and emphasised that the cost of local accommodation will be a key factor to the success of the strategy.

Councillor G. Holmes raised a query in respect of the Council’s policy to encourage Whitbread to build hotels throughout RCT. The Director of Prosperity and Development confirmed that the Council is keen to attract companies  such as Whitbread into the County Borough, however, he emphasised the need to also give local people opportunity and help develop their entrepreneurial skills to set up their own businesses.

Councillor J. Cullwick raised concerns in respect of dog fouling and litter dropping across the County Borough, and emphasised the need to improve the visual appearance of local communities. The Group Director – Prosperity, Development & Frontline Services confirmed that the Council’s aim is to educate residents across the County Borough on littering and dog fouling, however, he acknowledged that some areas in the County Borough are particularly problematic and that further improvement is necessary.

Councillor J. Williams thanked the Director of Prosperity and Development for providing a detailed presentation and emphasised that the Council needs to do more to raise the aspirations of local residents.

Councillor G. Caple noted that the Council needs to work in partnership with Network Rail and hotel companies in order to promote the strategy and encourage local tourism. The Director of Prosperity and Development referenced the development of a ‘Strategic Tourism Board’, which works in partnership with companies such as Zip World to identify common problems, and the Board will be used as a catalyst to solve various issues in respect of tourism across the County Borough.

Councillor W. Lewis referenced the land near Llwynypia Hospital and emphasised that the land has the potential to be used for tourism purposes.

Councillor M. Adams noted that there is more the Council can do to promote tourism in RCT. The Councillor suggested that the Council should consider developing a local letting policy where local companies pay the Council a fee to be allocated to the list. The Councillor also emphasised the importance of local heritage, stressing that this should be part of the tourism strategy, and felt that the Council should do more to promote tourism online.

Councillor G. Holmes stressed that local companies, such as Edwards Coaches, are getting tourists around the County Borough and that the Council needs to do more to support these companies. He commented that the Council is not exploiting the full potential of some local tourist areas.

Mr Fish, the Voting Parent/Governor Representative, commended the proposed strategy and referenced that RCT is due to host the National Eisteddfod in 2022, and emphasised that the Council should not miss the opportunity to encourage the influx of tourists to visit other areas of the County Borough.

Councillor J. Cullwick pointed out that it is the attitude towards the valleys that needs to change. He acknowledged that there is a lot of money to be earned from tourism and agreed that this should be a focus for the Council. 

Councillor M. Adams referenced the plaque of Jimmy Murphy as an example of where the Council could do more to promote local heritage / attractions in the County Borough. The Chair agreed and commented that the proposed tourism strategy will be a major benefit to Rhondda Cynon Taf and will also have a positive impact on the wider South East Wales region.

A number of Members confirmed that they would like to receive on-going updates in respect of the delivery of the strategy. The Service Director of Communications & Democratic Services reminded Members that the Committee’s feedback will inform the proposed strategy and that the tourism strategy will be presented to Cabinet in the autumn. The Service Director confirmed that if the strategy is agreed by Cabinet then feedback could be provided to the Finance and Performance Scrutiny Committee on an on-going basis.

Following discussion, Members RESOLVED to approve the Draft Tourism Strategy and Destination Management Plan subject to the comments made by the Committee.