Agenda item

A report by the Head of Town Centre Leisure, Events and Culture

The Head of Town Centre, Leisure, Events & Culture presented a report, which set out the details of all stages of Phase 3 of the Prosperous Boston Task and Finish Group’s review and its outcomes.

This final phase had focussed on Tourism and Events and included a full review of any promotion of the town, all events and accommodation.  The outcomes were listed in the report.

The phase had culminated in a final meeting to allow the group to monitor the activity that had taken place across the review and identify outcomes achieved from the initial consultations undertaken in 2015. 

The group appreciated and recognised the quality of work and commitment level of all officers involved throughout the long, in-depth review.  The group unanimously agreed that the improvements achieved were significant when compared to the start of the review.  However the group decided to re-visit the Markets Service in line with the gradually declining trend in income and convene a meeting to scope the review.

Furthermore, the importance of monitoring all the outcomes from the review was agreed and the group would take up the review again in Spring 2018 to consider how the recommendations agreed over the two years were progressing.

The group concluded with two recommendations from the final phase relating to the need to support the ongoing sustainability of the Visit Boston website in future financial years.

The Chairman, who chaired the Prosperous Boston Task and Finish Group, then addressed the meeting and described the review’s fluidity and scope covering multiple service areas.  A number of common key areas of concern had been identified from the large scale initial consultations.  Significant outcomes had been achieved in addressing the majority of concerns, not solely by the group, but through collective working alongside Portfolio Holders, Members, officers and partnerships, and partly with funding by BTAC.  Due to this best practice joint working, the outcomes over the two years had justified the review and the time and effort it had taken.  Many outcomes had already been achieved because agreed actions had been implemented as the review progressed rather than at the end of the review. 

The group had concluded its review with the following two recommendations from the final stage relating to the need to support the ongoing sustainability of the Visit Boston website in future financial years and agreed to monitor all the recommendations in Spring 2018:

1.      That the Council develop a corporate policy covering advertising to enable income strands through the Visit Boston website for private advertising.

2.      That the Council develop a corporate policy covering corporate sponsorship to support private sponsorship to support the sustainability of the Visit Boston website.

Members commended the work of the group and the many excellent outcomes of the review, including the website, and much improved signage and toilet facilities.

Responding to questions, the Chairman said there had been many important outcomes achieved through constructive cross-party working; by Members going out and speaking to the public to obtain their views; and excellent support from officers.  The review had raised public perception of the work undertaken by the Council.  The two corporate policies were recommended in line with good practice, to ensure standard treatment with respect to advertising and sponsorship.  The markets provision was being revisited specifically to consider what could be done to address the fall in market income and increase the number of traders.

Following discussion, it was agreed that the recommendations to Cabinet be reworded to read ‘external’ rather than private advertising and sponsorship to ensure it was clear that it was for businesses rather than members of the public.

A Member reported that two signs on the approach into Boston were broken, which did not give a good impression of Boston and asked if they could be replaced with signs placed higher up to avoid vandalism and others erected to attract people to places of interest.  In response, it was explained that officers were discussing damaged signs with the County Council and they would replace them with smaller signs that would help prevent wind damage. 

It was reported that consideration was being given to developing a site to properly launch iconic buildings with links to other sites.  The PSiCA scheme was in operation, but had closed to new projects because the money had been allocated.  Some significant work was still to commence.  Separate Heritage Lottery funding could be available for the south side of Emery Lane, but match funding had to be identified and this was proving difficult.  New applications had been received forming a waiting list in the event of the withdrawal of any that had not yet been started.  The scheme should be competed in 8-10 months.  It had been challenging working on this with agents and owners, some of whom were not present in the area and for whom buildings were part of pension funds.  Where improvements had been made, the changes before and after the work had been impressive. 

The Vice-Chairman thanked all officers involved for their hard work to make the significant changes resulting from the review, which were almost entirely completed.  In particular, the newly-retired Head of Operations was praised for his contribution and it was suggested a letter of thanks be passed to him.

A Member of the group voiced appreciation for the opportunity of taking part in the review, which had proved interesting and informative, and thanked all those involved for their professional approach. 

The Vice-Chairman stressed that the group’s work to improve Boston would continue.

Members then discussed an issue raised regarding people on scooters acting in an intimidating way in the Market Place.  The Portfolio Holder confirmed that details had been passed to the police.  The Vice-Chairman suggested the matter be discussed with Boston’s policing inspector at the next BTAC meeting.

During discussion of negative media coverage, it was noted that the Communications team spent a significant amount of time promoting good news about Boston and working with the media.  It was hoped that the Visit Boston website would help change perceptions.  A meeting with the new editor of a local newspaper had been very positive.

In response to a question regarding the current number of empty shops in the town, the Vice-Chairman confirmed that this had been too fluid to pinpoint.  The Economic Development Manager confirmed that a fixed number could not be provided, though he worked closely with agents regarding which were operating.