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.