Decision details

Decision

(a)       That Dorset Council stops directly funding tourist information centres (TICs) in Dorchester, Sherborne and Wareham.

(b)       That Dorset Council continues to work with the Town Councils and/or other local services and will consider one-off support funding for suitable transitionary arrangements to reduce the impact of the closure of the TIC on local people.

(c)        That authority be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services, in consultation with the Executive Director for Place, to agree any support payment arrangements.

(d)       That Dorset Council continues to promote Dorset as a visitor destination through its Visit Dorset website.

Reasons for the decision

(a)       TICs are a discretionary service and there is currently disparity across the council area. Dorset Council cannot afford to fund TICs across the whole of the Council area.

(b)       To support local alternatives, for example via Town Council, that may wish to facilitate transitionary arrangements in place of TIC services.

(c)        To provide transitionary funding, for example via Town Councils, that may wish to support alternative arrangements in place of TIC services.

(d)       To support the tourism sector to attract visitors to Dorset, particularly

focussing on extending the tourism season.