INFORMATION

RIBBLE VALLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL
REPORT TO COMMUNITY COMMITTEE

					Agenda Item No.	    
meeting date:	3 JUNE 2008		
title: 		CLITHEROE TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE		
submitted by:  	DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICES
principal author:  	REBECCA KAY – TOURISM & ARTS OFFICER

1.	PURPOSE

1.1	To inform members of the current situation regarding Clitheroe Tourist Information Centre.

1.2	Relevance to the Council’s ambitions and priorities:	

•	Council Ambitions – This report contributes to making sure that the council provides efficient services, to protect and enhance the existing environmental quality of our area and improving access for all.
•	Community Objectives – This report relates to the following priorities outlined in the community strategy: encouraging access for all, community cohesion, culture and tourism

•	Corporate Priorities – To provide services for people where they live, improve access to services, promote the exceptional environment of area and lifestyle. 
•	Other Considerations – None.

2.    BACKGROUND

2.1	It was previously reported to committee that Lancashire County Council were to make a formal decision on the budget for 2008/9 in February 2008 which would impact the future of Clitheroe Information Centre. 

2.2	This centre was one of three in Lancashire under scrutiny for potential closure to allow for budgetary cuts to the County Council. 

2.3	A decision was finally made in March 2008 for the County Council, the main leasehold of the building, to close the Information Centre as of Saturday 26th April 2008. 

2.4	Although the council did not receive formal notification of this, preparations were made by Ribble Valley officers to ensure that the Tourist Information Centre could operate a service in the council offices from Monday 28th April.

3.	CURRENT SITUATION

3.1.	With the assistance of Council Depot and TIC staff, the transition into the Council Offices Main Reception was carried out over the course of the week prior to closure. Due to the demands on the service and volume of stock, the following week was spent organising the displays and storage.   

3.2.	Arrangements have been made for additional signage to the TIC to be erected week commencing June 2nd externally to the council building, to include the TIC’s opening hours. 

3.3.	The TIC will maintain its opening hours to Monday to Saturday 9am –5pm. 

3.4.	Arrangements have been made to the security of the building to ensure that the service could continue to operate on Saturdays, when the council building is normally closed. However, at the moment it will remain closed for Bank Holidays. 

4.	ISSUES

4.1.	In order to maintain the same standard of service it was identified that additional staff are required to cover for Saturday working and afternoons, as County provided two members of staff to share the workload in the old premises. 

4.2.	Arrangements are being made to employ a part time Tourist Information Assistant and additional Casual Assistants to provide cover for holidays, sickness and Saturdays etc. 

4.3.	There was some public confusion regarding the joint partnership operation of the centre and when it was announced that the centre was closing, whereby many visitors thought the whole service was going completely. 

4.4.	There are signs in the old building windows directing visitors to the council offices and it is hoped that additional external signage will help diffuse any further confusion. 

4.5.	Initial visitor opinion of the new location has been very positive, and we are also receiving positive feedback from council staff saying that the main reception is much more welcoming to all who visit.   

5.	RISK ASSESSMENT

The approval of this report may have the following implications:

•	Resources – the new service is being delivered within agreed resources
•	Technical, Environmental and Legal – None. 
•	Political – it has been decided that any ongoing issues with Lancashire County Council on the closure will not result in any positive changes
•	Reputation – Public perception of the council’s stance on the importance of tourism information provision in the town. 

6.	RECOMMENDED THAT COMMITTEE:

	Note the contents of the report.

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICES
For further information, please contact Rebecca Kay.  Tel: 01200 414496
Background papers: None
RK/SW/Rep Com June 08 TIC Update
28 May 2008