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  • Agenda item
  • Agenda item

    Short Focused Inquiry - Visitor Economy

    Minutes:

    1.         The Chairman thanked Members for their contributions towards the Short Focused Inquiry report. Members paid tribute to the witnesses who had been involved in the inquiry.

     

    2.         Members discussed the contents of the report. A Member noted that in relation to Recommendation 2 of the inquiry report, care should be taken to time television advertising which promoted Kent as a safe and attractive visitor destination at a point where national or local Covid-19 social restrictions allowed tourism.

     

    3.         A Member requested that the Short Focused Inquiry membership, as documented in the report, include only Members who had contributed to the inquiry.

     

    4.         In relation to Recommendation 6 of the inquiry’s report, a Member highlighted the need to prioritise small business recovery. Hospitality sector training and transparent ratings were also noted as areas for sector focus. The change in working arrangements was mentioned as an aid in the support of rural high streets and retail when the reduction of tourist figures had been considered.  

     

    5.         It was noted by a Member that different areas of Kent had been affected to different extents and that the themes outlined in the inquiry did not persist in all areas.

     

    6.         Members noted that whilst all sectors had been negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the hospitality sector, especially in Kent, had been the most impacted.

     

    7.         A Member noted that the high street retail operating model had begun its evolution prior to the Covid-19 and that online retail had had a greater impact on the sector than the pandemic in the change of customer habits.

     

    8.         Public transport accessibility was raised by a Member as an area of significant impact for the tourism sector in Kent. Flexible ticketing was highlighted as a means of increasing accessibility and ease of use.

     

    9.         The Chairman agreed to reflect the committee’s concerns regarding the timing of tourism promotion and the scale of the impact of Covid-19 on Kent’s Visitor Economy in his covering letter to the Leader and Cabinet Member.

     

    10.       Mr Romagnuolo updated the committee on the progress of the proposed Kent Farming Economy Short Focused Inquiry, he outlined his initial research which regarded the impact of the pandemic on the industry and noted that it was unclear what support farmers would receive before parliamentary bills had passed.

     

    11.       Mr Farrell moved and Dr Sullivan seconded an amendment to the recommendation to include the words ‘KCC Scrutiny Committee:-

    a.         recognises the importance of the visitor, hospitality and creative sector to the Kent economy in both providing skilled employment and enhancing the quality of life of residents and visitors;

    b.         notes that many businesses are being adversely affected by current restrictions, while some are being made unviable through their enforced closure. The Committee believes all sectors should have a roadmap for reopening; 

    c.         commends the Government on the introduction of the furlough scheme but Calls on it to create a dedicated furlough scheme for the hospitality and creative sectors that should operate until national and locally imposed restrictions on their businesses are lifted;

    d.         further, believes that the Government should urgently review the 10pm curfew and present the scientific evidence for its imposition, should it continue; and

    e.         the committee requests the Leader and Cabinet Member urgently write to relevant Government ministers outlining what this committee has identified as key issues.’

     

    12.       Members voted on Mr Farrell’s amendment. The amendment was lost.

     

    13.       Mr Love moved and Mr Wright seconded an amendment to the recommendation to include the words ‘That the Scrutiny Committee ask the Leader and relevant Cabinet Members to consider how they might bring to the attention of local, regional, and national policy-makers the devastating impacts of both Covid-19 and the responses to Covid-19 that are outlined in this report.’

     

    14.       Members voted on Mr Love’s amendment. The amendment was won.

     

    RESOLVED that the Scrutiny Committee:

    a)         Approve the Short Focused Inquiry Report into the visitor economy.

     

    b)         That the Short Focused Inquiry Report be submitted to the Leader and relevant Cabinet Members along with a request for a formal response to the recommendations within two months.

     

    c)         That the Scrutiny Committee ask the Leader and relevant Cabinet Members to consider how they might bring to the attention of local, regional, and national policy-makers the devastating impacts of both Covid-19 and the responses to Covid-19 that are outlined in this report.

    Supporting documents: