Agenda item

Covid 19 has significantly impacted on the long-term viability of Destination Management Organisations across the UK.  In conjunction with neighbouring Councils, B&NES considers it necessary to combine the back-office functions of the existing Destination Management Organisation, Visit Bath, with Destination Bristol, to create Visit West.

Councillor Dine Romero introduced the report by saying that the Council would not lose their own unique brand of Visit Bath.  The new destination management organisation would be more attractive to government, and so funding opportunities, which would open opportunities that have not been taken up by Visit Bath, and it would help build the offer for visitors to this region. Working with our neighbours means that some burdens would be shared, without losing the economic value that a vibrant local visitor economy brings.

Councillor Dine Romero moved the recommendations.

Councillor Richard Samuel seconded the motion by welcoming the points Councillor Romero has put forward as the rationale for this report.  Councillor Samuel suggested an addition to recommendations which would read the following:

‘9)  Instruct the Chief Executive to urgently undertake a review of governance arrangements for arms-length service providers and larger contract holders and report the outcome of this review to the Cabinet as soon as practicable.

Councillor Dine Romero agreed with this addition to recommendations.

Councillor Paul Crossley welcomed the report and agreed with the additional recommendation proposed by Councillor Samuel and accepted by Councillor Romero.  Councillor Crossley added that Visit Bath had been in sorry state for some time, and it was drifting into deficit since 2016.  Councillor Crossley also said that he was happy with the partnership with three neighbouring authority areas and with expected cooperation between the private sector and the public sector.

RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Cabinet agreed to:

1)  Authorise the Council to become a member of Visit West a company limited by Guarantee in accordance with the terms of the Membership Agreement.

2)  Authorise the Council to enter into the Asset & Employee Transfer Agreement with Visit West as guarantor for Visit Bath and for the future delivery of the Council’s destination management function through Visit West.

3)  Authorise the Council to enter into the Asset & Employee Transfer Agreement with Bath Forum to provide an indemnity for staff transferring from Visit Bath to Bath Forum.

4)  Authorise the Council to enter into the Asset & Employee Transfer Agreement with Visit Bath to provide for the transfer of Christmas Market staff to the Council and to address all residual matters.

5)  Delegate to the Director of Economy & Growth in consultation with the Cabinet member for Resources the power to make any minor changes to the Transfer Agreements or the Membership Agreement.

6)  Appoint the Director of Finance to the Board of Visit Bath to effect the voluntary strike-off of Visit Bath and to provide an indemnity to that officer to provide protection from personal liability pursuant to the Local Authorities (Indemnity to members and Officers) regulations 2004.

7)  Approve the use of reserve funding to enable the Council to meet the outstanding company liabilities, with delegation given to the Director of Finance (S151 Officer) in consultation with the Chief Executive and Cabinet member for Resources to make final arrangements.

8)  Authorise the Council to take leasehold assignments for Bath Street and Bridgewater House.

9)  Instruct the Chief Executive to urgently undertake a review of governance arrangements for arms-length service providers and larger contract holders and report the outcome of this review to the Cabinet as soon as practicable.