Agenda item

A report by the Head Of Place and Space

Presenting the report the Head of Space and Place confirmed the report was an update to the initial report tabled in January 2018 and then tabled at Cabinet in February 2018 requesting support for specific elements for funding to progress projects.  Plymouth had secured £500k from Visit England in May 2016 with a similar amount being secured in 2018 from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.  Boston had benefitted directly from the funds resulting in it being included in travel itineraries for 2020; promoted at trade fairs and was also featured prominently on national and internationally available apps telling the Pilgrim story.    Furthermore interest had increased in the Guildhall and the Boston Heritage Trail.

A bid submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund to build on the Explore and Discover project, which would introduce monoliths firstly at Pilgrim specific sites and then sites within the town, had been unsuccessful. As such in line with the tight timescales a reduced scheme was proposed focussing on the interpretation of the Pilgrim story.    Boston Borough Council had match funded the bid and also secured a further £10k from Lincolnshire County Council but that money had been dependant on securing the original bid.  Lincolnshire County Council had then agreed a reduced fund of £5k and that money along with the £10k match fund from Boston Borough Council had been used to deliver the works.

Referencing the Structures on the Edge project at Havenside members were advised that it was hoped that the structure would be in place by July 2020 at Scotia Creek.  Running alongside this project was that of the bouys.  Five applications for siting them had been agreed at the Planning Committee in July 2019, The installations would be sited at Haven Bridge, on the High Street, at the Bus Station, alongside the footbridge and in Central Park.

The Council had been asked to join forces with the Poacher Line in April 2020, to provide specific information in respect of Boston and its American connections to be advertised at Kings Cross Station for a day.  The facility was part of the Community in the City initiative which encouraged travel by train supporting rural routes to the City. 

In conclusion the Head of Place noted that the list of activities was not exhaustive and that as 2020 approached it was likely that additional activity could be incorporated in the programme of events.

Member comment and questions followed including:

Noting the app. which provided the half-day tour, a member stated that the period of time given would only permit viewing within the actual town itself:  any progression out towards the Pilgrims memorial site and further, once the Structure on the Edge was in situ at the wash, would be impossible on foot due to time restrictions.  Further concern noted it would be very difficult to get coaches up onto the bank.  The Head of Place and Space agreed but stressed that the majority of the trail was town centric and that tours and visits to the outer town sites could be arranged:  members were advised that Fishtoft Parish Council were very active in both the promotion of and possible tourist visits to Scotia Creek.

Noting confusion on the cost of the illuminate festivals within appendix 1 for £110k and the monies made available by the Controlling Migration fund on page 16 of the report, a member asked what the funds on page 14 from ACE were for and if the funds noted were all the same.  The Head of Space and Place confirmed that the funds on page 14 were from a separate funding stream.

Members voiced approval of the events scheduled and suggested / requested that a proper tourism offer be established which would be permanent in the town to build a reputation and make it a destination.  Concern noted that after 20/20 nothing new would arise and the Head of Space and Place assured committee that projects for 2030 were already being scoped and there would be significant promotion of the town and all its history and future events going forward.  Key to establishing the towns permanent heritage would be development of its strong maritime history.  Alongside that would be elaboration of the American connection and the importance of Boston, its Grammar School [and further information to yet be revealed] in respect of the Pilgrims story and early settlers in America from Boston.