Issue details

Decision

To provide Sherborne Town Council with a one-off support payment of £20,000 to facilitate the development of an alternative service offer as identified through the proposal submitted by the Town Council. This funding is to support the town council in delivering the proposed alternative arrangements for visitor information because the local Dorset Council Tourist Information Centre is no longer being funded by Dorset Council from April 2021.

Reason for the Decision

TICs are a discretionary service and there is disparity across the council area. The council concluded a review of this service and on 2 March 2021, the Cabinet decided to stop directly funding the 3 TICs that it manages and agreed that the council would offer one off support funding for suitable transitionary arrangements to reduce the impact of the closure of the TIC on the local community.

Reason for the decision

TICs are a discretionary service and there is disparity across the council area. The council concluded a review of this service and on 2 March 2021, the Cabinet decided to stop directly funding the 3 TICs that it manages and agreed that the council would offer one off support funding for suitable transitionary arrangements to reduce the impact of the closure of the TIC on the local community.

Budget Implications

The service budget for 2021/22 includes some funding for transitional support payments to the town councils. Therefore there is provision within the existing budget to make this one off payment to Sherborne Town Council.

Legal Implications

None identified. Dorset Council’s Cabinet received a report on the TIC service review and made a decision on the way forward for Dorset Council in respect of its approach to funding and managing the TICs.

Reference Documents

Report to Dorset Council’s Cabinet – 2 March 2021

https://moderngov.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=152&MId=4738

Report to Dorset Council’s Place and Resources Overview Committee 25 February 2021

https://moderngov.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=651&MId=4999