Decision
To
provide Wareham 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 services 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.
Alternative
Options considered and rejected
Not
applicable
Consultees
John
Sellgren, Executive Director for Place
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
Wareham 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.
References
Report to Dorset Council's Cabinet - 2 March 2021
Report to Dorset Council's Place & Resources
Overview Committee - 25 February 2021
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 02/12/2021
Decision due: 2 Dec 2021 by Portfolio Holder for Culture and Communities
Lead member: Portfolio Holder for Culture and Communities
Lead director: Executive Director, Place
Contact: Lisa Cotton, Corporate Director for Customer and Cultural Services Email: lisa.cotton@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.