Apologies for absence were received from Councillor B Coleman, Robin Hanley, Nicky Adamson and Vicki Mileham.

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 December 2016 were confirmed.

(i) Central tourist/booking office

The Chairman reported that although there was no funding to run a central booking office it was still an aspiration of the partnership to have this open from spring through the summer  being run by volunteers and one part time co-ordinator and would cost approximately £12,000 for a part time supervisor and another £20,000 for services per year.

(ii) Branding Working Party

This would be referred to the Cultural Board.

(iii) Walk of Fame 

Peter Jay is keen on having a walk of fame from Britannia Pier to the Waterways.  At present there is no funding available for this, however, in 2018 they could apply to the BID for funding.

The minutes of the Cultural Heritage Awareness Group held on 17 January 2017 were confirmed. 

Great Yarmouth Map

It was reported that the Cultural Heritage Map can be found at Great Yarmouth Cultural Heritage: The Heritage Map and stakeholders would be asked if they would like an icon to the map on their websites.

A Cultural Board would be created with local representatives and representatives from Arts Council, Heritage Lottery Fund, Local Enterpise Partnership which would be set up by the Neighbourhoods and Communities Group Manager.

RESOLVED:

That the Chairman write to the Neighbourhoods and Communities Group Manager to ask about the progress of the Cultural Board creation.

• Branding - this would be passed on to the Cultural Board to progress.
• Share photo's, visitor data and marketing data - the Cultural Board would need to drive this.
• All cultural heritage venues to be on trip advisor  and culture 24 website - the partnership spoke about trip advisor and agreed that this is a powerful tool but can be positive or negative about a business and requires close administration.
• Celebrate Cultural Heritage Success, this is being done adequately
• Build Partnerships with other organisations - the partnership spoke of the need for taxi firms to encourage their drivers to be polite, presentable and knowledgeable as they are ambassadors for the town.
• Discount vouchers for local residents - it was reported that discount vouchers may be too complicated to manage and each time fewer people take up the offers.
• Work with schools through Enjoy GY
• Signage Strategy, work on this is being done by the Town Master Plan
• Annual Calendar of events - it was agreed that it would be useful if the cultural heritage events were put on the cultural heritage website.
• Community Litter Picking - on 23 April 2017  in the Cemetary Dr Davis has arranged a litter pick.  The Council has an app called "report it GY"  which can be used to report flytipping and abandoned cars.  It was agreed that more rubbish bins and dog fouling bins needed to be installed. 
• Cultural Heritage Website - the map is working well.
• Newsletter - the Chairman agreed to do another newsletter.
• Mercury Articles - The Chairman submits one every 4-6 weeks and would welcome anyone wishing to write an occasional column.  Wording has been reduced to 320 words.
  
  

The Partnership discussed the Cultural Heritage Conference along with the format for the day. It was agreed that this would be held on 3 November 2017 at St George's Theatre with tickets costing £20 for attendees from outside of the borough and £15 for local residents. The Tourism Manager suggested asking if  Peter Jay could offer 1/2 price circus tickets with every conference ticket purchased. The outline programme was generally agreed.

It was reported that the Town Centre Masterplan had now been publicised.

The committee supported the ideas proposed in the inaugural notes of a proposed Civic Society.

(i) Awareness Group - It was agreed that the Cultural Awareness Group meetings would be deleted and the Cultural Heritage Partnership would remain.

It was agreed that the next meeting would be held on 13 June 2017 at 2pm in the Council Chamber.