Agenda and minutes

Members will disclose any pecuniary and any other significant interests they may have in relation to the matters to be considered at this meeting.

None.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting of Cabinet.

The minutes of the meeting of 1 December 2021 were approved as a correct record.

To receive and respond to any questions from members of the public.

Public questions for Cabinet may be submitted at any time by writing to Democratic Services or via email democratic.services@wyre.gov.uk. Public questions for this meeting must be received by noon on the Thursday before the meeting is held and do not need to specifically relate to items on this agenda. Questioners should provide their name and address and indicate to which Cabinet member the question is to be directed.

The total period of time allocated for public questions will not normally exceed 30 minutes.

None

Report of the Chairman of the Tourism Recovery in Wyre Task Group and Corporate Director Communities.

The Chairman of the Tourism Recovery in Wyre Task Group and Corporate Director Communities submitted a report to Cabinet detailing the work of the Tourism Recovery in Wyre Task Group.

Decisions

Cabinet agreed the following recommendations (numbered as per the report)

3.1 That the council concentrates on the promotion of Wyre as a tourist destination.

A new communications plan was being prepared and it would include a campaign focused on the visitor economy which we recognised as being more important than ever as part of Covid-19 recovery.

Utilising Welcome Back Funding, a promotional video and photography had been commissioned to showcase what Wyre has to offer as a destination and some outdoor theatre had been organised during the forthcoming half term at Poulton and Garstang.

3.2 That the Discover Wyre website be brought in-house.

The team have already given notice to New Mind, the current provider of the Discover Wyre website and a new website was under development using Jadu, the same system used for the Council website. This would provide greater ownership of the layout and content of the website and the plan was to launch a new Discover Wyre website in April 2022.

3.3 That improvements be made to the Discover Wyre website and for it to concentrate on promoting the individual towns within the borough, ensuring all areas are covered equally.

As part of the new Discover Wyre website, consideration would be given to how to each individual town could be better promoted as part of Wyre’s visitor offer.

3.5 That a digital marketing strategy for the council’s various digital platforms be created, in order to benefit the wider tourism strategy. In addition, report the defined objectives of this strategy back to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (O&S).

As part of the Communications Plan, a Campaigns Plan would be developed for the Visitor Economy Campaign. As part of this plan, there would be a focus on how digital marketing tools such as social media and e-newsletters could be better utilised. Once developed, the Campaigns Plan could be shared with O&S.

3.6 That there is a continued collaborative working relationship between the Tourism, Events and Communication teams.

The council had implemented a structure change on 1 December 2021 and created a new service, Communications and Visitor Economy, bringing together communications, marketing, tourism and events, which was led by Emma Lyons as the new Service Manager.

3.7 That coach industries and businesses be invited back to Wyre to see what coach offer/packages Wyre can offer.

Welcome Back funding had been allocated to work proactively with coach companies to focus on encouraging them to bring more visitors to Wyre. The Tourism Development Officer was leading on this and the first coach group tour had been booked for 12 February.

3.10 To explore options that will enhance the Civic Centre, including the Members Lounge, to make it a more attractive venue for weddings and other events.

A small budget had been allocated to undertake decoration of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item CAB.28

Report of the Resources Portfolio Holder and Corporate Director Resources and Section 151 Officer.

The Resources Portfolio Holder and Corporate Director Resources submitted a report asking Cabinet to

·       consider the review of the 2021/22 Capital Programme and the progress of schemes for the nine month period, covering April 2021 through December 2021, undertaken by spending officers and noting amendments to the Capital Programme since last reported to Cabinet on 20 October 2021 and the financial impact over the term of the Programme, through to the end of 2026/27.

·       agree the latest Capital Budget 2021/22 and the Capital Programme for the financial year 2022/23 onwards.

Decisions

Cabinet

·       noted the progress of, and expenditure incurred on, capital schemes for the first nine months of the 2021/22 financial year.

·       approved the Revised Capital Programme, and its funding, for the 2021/22 financial year totalling £15,042,598, noting the following specific amendments:

· £65,748 expenditure on Improvements to Queen Elizabeth II Playing Field at Catterall with funding from Section 106 monies;
· £160,417, additional expenditure on the Acquisition of Fish and Food Processing Units with funding from the Property Investment Reserve;
· £55,440 expenditure on CCTV improvements and related works at Fleetwood Market, and;
· Re-profiling of the Wyre Beach Management scheme over the life of the project where the lifetime cost of the scheme remains unchanged.

·       approved the Capital Programme over the five year term from 2022/23 through to the end of 2026/27, totalling £53,218,046.

·       agreed that the financial implications of the Capital Budget and future Capital Programme be reflected in the draft Revenue Estimates which would be considered by Cabinet at their meeting on 16 February 2022 and be subject to approval by Full Council at the meeting on 10 March 2022.