Agenda item

Welcome to Yorkshire

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on a short presentation and introduction by the Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, Mr G Verity on the work of the organisation.

Minutes:

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on the attendance of Mr Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, who had been invited to attend today’s Board meeting to talk about the work of his organisation which  included details of his work programme, action plan and budget.

 

The following representatives were in attendance who responded to Members’ queries and comments:-

 

Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire

Claire Morrow, Chair of Welcome to Yorkshire

Peter Myers, Area Director, West Yorkshire, Welcome to Yorkshire

Martin Farrington, Acting Director of City Development

 

The Board received a short dvd and Powerpoint presentation by the Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire and then had an opportunity for Members to discuss any issues that arose and ask questions.

 

A copy of a fact sheet and folder on news articles were tabled for Members information during consideration of this item.

 

The Powerpoint presentation covered the following specific areas:-

 

·  Visitor economy and employment figures

·  The operating model harness support from the private, public and third sectors

·  Subscription and direct investment figures

·  Yorkshire campaigns direct investment details in relation to gardens (including reference to Harewood; Lotherton Hall; Roundhay and Temple Newsam); golf; international; bus and boat; business engagement; events and festivals; business tourism and Yorkshire Gold)

·  Leeds visitor economy figures over the last two years

·  Future plans

·  Questions

 

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

 

·  BBC ‘Frankenstein’ filming in Manchester and clarification of the plans in place with regards to promoting Leeds as a place for filming drama series

·  the suggestion that Welcome to Yorkshire had not promoted the Leeds Carnival and Leeds MELA or the Chinese and mixed communities

(The Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire responded and confirmed that the organisation was very conscious about cultural diversity and expounded on the work undertaken by his organisation in this area. He offered to make available to the Board another dvd which focused specifically on the cultural diversity of Yorkshire and did promote the events referred to)

·  clarification of the working relationship between Marketing Leeds and Welcome to Yorkshire in promoting Leeds as a city

·  clarification of the role of Welcome to Yorkshire in relation to ‘Year of Volunteering Europe’

·  clarification of the funding element of Welcome to Yorkshire and on the proportion of revenue that was received from the Council

(The Chair of Welcome to Yorkshire responded and agreed to provide a breakdown of the funding element to the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser for circulation to Board Members)

·  clarification of the plans in place to promote Leeds in America

·  an invitation to Welcome to Yorkshire to visit Lineham Farm and support the excellent work being undertaken for disadvantaged children

 

RESOLVED-

a)  That the report together with the short dvd,and power point presentation from the Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, be received and noted.

b)  That a vote of thanks be conveyed to the Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire and his colleagues for their attendance and contribution to the meeting.

c)  That a copy of the powerpoint slides used during the presentation be circulated to the Board.

d)  That no further scrutiny be undertaken on this issue.

 

(Councillors D Atkinson and J Elliot joined the meeting at 10.15am during discussions of the above item)

 

Supporting documents: