Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Head of Customer Services, Libraries and Archives.

The committee considered a report of the Head of Customer, Libraries and Archives, which provided an update and summary of the alternative service provision following the closure of Dorchester, Sherborne and Wareham tourist information centres in 2021.

The Chairman welcomed Steve Shield, Town Clerk of Sherborne Town Council, who provided information on the town council’s tourism activities.  Councillors thanked the Town Clerk for attending and were impressed by the activities being undertaken.

Councillors considered the issues arising from the report and points were noted in the following areas:

·            The support that Dorset Council was able to provide to town councils with their tourism activities.  This could be considered as part of a wider review of the implementation of the council’s tourism and economic development strategies

·            A review was being undertaken of how information and advice could be provided within libraries and this included tourism information

·            Further feedback and data could be sought from Dorchester, Sherborne and Wareham as the season progressed

·            A further review of tourism could look at how the council collaborated  across Dorset, including Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and link in with the Dorset Tourism Association, Visit Dorset Team, links to regional and national bodies and Central Government support available.

The following action points were requested in respect of the report:

·            The committee requested an update on the tourism activities in Wareham at an appropriate time.