Issue - meetings

To consider the final report of the Promoting Redditch Task and Finish Group.

(Executive Summary attached – Task and Finish Group report under separate cover)

The final report of the Promoting Redditch Task and Finish Group was presented to the Committee by members of the Group, the Chair, ex-Councillor Graham Vickery and Councillors Brenda Quinney and Derek Taylor.

The report had been produced out of a consensus amongst Members that the town might more effectively be promoted and a sense of pride inculcated into local residents and businesses. It was noted that the review and report had identified three areas upon which the Council and its partners should focus their energy, these being the development of business within the town, the development of services for business visitors and the development of leisure tourism.

It was acknowledged by the Group that, whereas a number of the recommendations contained within the report might be implemented in the short term, other recommendations were linked to longer term aspirations for the future which the Committee was urged to endorse in principle. In detailing the background to the recommendations, the Group highlighted a number of more general points including the need for the Council to act as the support in these processes rather than as the leader and the lack of any substantial funding implications arising from the proposals.

Officers reported that the Chair of the Redditch Town Centre Partnership had clarified evidence that had been included in the report from her interview with the Group.  In particular, she wished members to note that the town’s industrial heritage could be used to promote Redditch, particularly when targeted at a specific audience and used creatively.

The Committee thanked the Group for a good, detailed report. It was noted that the views of many people and organisations had been sought and a number of proposals developed that were both interesting and worthwhile. Officers commented upon a number of the recommendations, endorsing much of what had come out of the review and identifying those areas where there was already work ongoing to address the issues which had been highlighted. In the area of leisure and arts it was particularly noted that the changes to the management structure for Cultural and Leisure Services would increase capacity and resilience and lead to increased focus on a number of issues which had been the subject of recommendations from the Group. Likewise, the Town Centre Partnership endorsed the contents of the report and was utilising the findings of the review to shape its activities going forward.

There was an acknowledgement that certain issues were more intractable and were outside of the power of the authority to directly influence. However, the efforts that were being made to achieve goals such as a more rounded shopping experience or a wider appeal in the night-time economy were recognised.

In responding to the comments of the Committee and Officers, the Group noted that one of their objectives had been to stimulate debate on these issues and, to that extent, the undertaking had been very worthwhile. The Committee was content to endorse the recommendations before it and consequently

RESOLVED that:

1a)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 210