Agenda item - Visitor Economy TFG Scoping Report

9.1 The Chair introduced the report on the next Task & Finish Group saying that she had sought votes from committee members on the three ideas that had come from the previous discussion on what members wanted to look at. She said that all of the ideas had received some support, and the others may be looked at in the future, but that visitor economy had received the most support and therefore the report sought the committee’s approval to establish the Task & Finish Group.

9.2 Cllr Cattell said that there was an overlap with licensing and as Deputy Chair she would therefore like to be on the Task & Finish Group.

9.3 Cllr Goddard said that looking at the scoping report there was not enough emphasis on that nighttime economy was not just about pubs and clubs, but early evening entertainment. He said he wanted greater emphasis on our assets such as Brighton Town Hall, which he felt was an embarrassment unless you wanted to get married there. He highlighted Rochdale Civic Centre as an example of what could be done. Cllr Cattell mentioned that Brighton Town Hall was on the long list of major projects, but that it was a question of money as there was so much wrong with the building.

9.4 Cllr Miller said that she had ideas for potential witnesses that she would send via email.

9.5 Cllr Fishleigh asked about limiting the numbers in the group, and if it would be the same as previously and asked if the scoping meeting could be arranged imminently in case people were on holiday during August. Giles Rossington said that the numbers on Task & Finish Groups roughly reflected the political composition of the council and were three Labour members, one Green, one Conservative, one Brighton & Hove Independent, and co-opted members who were interested in joining. He said that once nominations had come in from all the political groups the meeting would be arranged and they weren’t looking to wait until September.

9.6 RESOLVED – Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee agrees to establish a Task & Finish Group to scrutinise the visitor economy of Brighton & Hove.

RESOLVED – Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee agrees the Terms of Reference, membership and duration of the Task & Finish Group as set out in Appendix 2.