To respond to the Community Services Scrutiny Committee review of tourism.

THAT the response to the recommendations set out at Appendix 1 to the report, but excluding recommendations 2 and 8, be approved.

The majority of the recommendations are agreed or agreed in principle.  There are two not agreed.

Recommendation 2: Retain direct control over tourism information services.  Never combine the functions of a TIC with those of an ‘Info in Herefordshire’ office.

Recommendation 8: Complement each of the other ‘spoke’ TICs with 2.5 fte paid staff plus any available volunteers.

As regards recommendation 2, the review group felt “where it might be practicable, the two might (Info and TICs) with advantage be co-located but they should not be combined, the TIC should invariably be staffed by appropriate specialists”.  Considering the current financial climate the option of combining the tourism service with Info should not be ruled out.

As regards recommendation 8, this felt too costly to implement across all TICs.  Most TICs have 2 members of staff though some lone working does take place to cover breaks.

That the original recommendations are accepted in full.  This would, however, in one case conflict with existing Council policy and in another lead to overspend on budget.