Agenda item

(To receive a report by Mary Powell (Tourism Manager), which invites the Committee to discuss the relationship between tourism and heritage, identifying those areas where they believe the biggest impact can be achieved)

Consideration was given to a report by Mary Powell (Tourism Manager) and a verbal update from Ian George (Places Manager), which invited the Committee to discuss the relationship between tourism and heritage, identifying those areas where it believed the biggest impact could be achieved.

The Committee was advised that investment in Lincolnshire's natural and historic heritage was a key element in supporting the growth of the visitor economy, and of the economy as a whole.  Projects such as Lincoln Castle Revealed had demonstrably acted as a catalyst for the Lincolnshire visitor economy and had also been important for improving perceptions of the county generally and strengthening the sense of place and local pride.

The Committee was also advised that extensive pre-planning for events in Lincolnshire had previously proved successful, and so the Tourism, Heritage and Places teams had been pre-planning for up to 2020 for some time, of which included:

·       2018 – RAF 100^th and Castle 950^th anniversaries and completion of International Bomber Command Centre;

·       2019 – a 'Women' theme around Queen Victoria's 200^th anniversary and 100^th anniversary of the first woman member of parliament;

·       2020 – 400^th anniversary of Mayflower Pilgrims and completion of Lincoln Cathedral Connected.

The Committee was advised that Historic England had recently launched a Heritage Action Zone scheme, of which the aim of the scheme was to assist areas in unlocking the economic potential of historic sites within a given area. 

The Committee was shown a short film which Historic England had produced on the Heritage Action Zone scheme. The video could be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=0arrM3hrw3c .

In addition to the Heritage Action Zone scheme, Historic England was also undertaking Extensive Urban Surveys.  It was noted that 27 towns would be included as part of Lincolnshire's Extensive Urban Survey.  The purpose of the survey was to analyse and map the historic development of 27 of Lincolnshire's coastal and market towns, making the results available in order to: influence local planning policy; inform urban historic land and buildings management and interpretation; encourage the integration of urban historic characterisation into the wider process of managing the urban environment; guide archaeological and historical research.  It was noted that Holbeach would be used as a trial for the Lincolnshire Extensive Urban Survey.

Members were provided with an opportunity to ask questions, where the following points were noted: -

·       It was noted that a Boston Heritage Forum was in the process of being developed.  The Places Manager made a note of this and advised he would develop contacts with the Forum;

·       It was highlighted that in 2030 it would be the 400^th anniversary of the founding of Boston, Massachusetts.  The Tourism Manager advised that this was an anniversary that the teams were already planning for.  It was commented that there was a need to improve the accommodation offer within the Boston area, prior to this anniversary as this restricted the number of overseas visitors to the area.  The Tourism Manager advised that this should hopefully be addressed through the hotel study that was currently being carried out;

·       It was agreed that a list of the 27 towns, which were included in the Extensive Urban Survey, would be emailed to the Committee for information.  It was confirmed that Boston and Skegness were on the list;

·       It was noted that Mayflower 400 was scheduled to have a stand at the World Travel Market, which was taking place 6-8 November 2017 in London.   The teams had been invited to attend the market to provide and support and assistance to the Mayflower 400 stand.

RESOLVED

That the areas where the Committee believe the biggest impact could be achieved between tourism and heritage, as detailed above, be taken forward.