Agenda item

To submit a report by the Head of Regulation and Economic Development.

 Submitted – a report by the Head of Regulation and Economic Development for consideration by the Committee.

The Portfolio Member for Leisure, Tourism and Maritime said that the visitor economy is fundamental to the sustainable economic position of Anglesey with £360m per annum generated into the local economy. However, over the last 3 years, visitor numbers to the Island has increased and this can have a negative impact on local communities and especially on the coastal areas of the Island.  He noted that the Destination Management Plan is set out to deal with the opportunities and the challenges for the Island.  The Portfolio Member further referred to the priorities of the Plan for 2023-2028, as set out within the report, and especially protecting the Welsh language, heritage and environment of the Island together with the economic benefits for Anglesey.  He further said that the draft Destination Management Plan has been submitted for public consultation between 28^th April, 2023 to 9^th June, 2023 which resulted in 48 responses which is accepted is fairly low response to the documentation.  However, the responses were constructive and of high quality.   The Portfolio Member said that a Sub-Group is to be established with membership from different establishments with a focus in creating an Action Plan for the balance of attracting tourism to the Island whilst focusing also on the potential effects on local communities.

The Head of Regulation and Economic Development reiterated the comments by the Portfolio Member that the tourism sector is the largest sector on the Island.  The Island experienced an influx of visitors during the last 3 years and it is necessary to mitigate the negative effects of tourism.  He noted that there is a need to redefine the relationship with the tourism sector to ensure constructive dialogue.

The Committee considered the report and raised the following matters:-

·         Reference was made as regards to improvements for maritime activities noted within the Plan. Concerns were raised as to problems encountered with inconsiderate use jet skis on the coasts of Anglesey.  The Head of Regulation and Economic Development responded that the management of the seas is an issue and there is a need for a corporate response in respect of resources as regards to this matter;

·         The Chair expressed that he considered that the Anglesey Town Centres Improvement Strategy (which was considered at the last meeting)  needs to be incorporated in the Destination Management Plan whilst consideration is given to reviving the local communities and the economy.  The Head of Regulation and Economic Development responded that a number of draft documents are currently reviewed for public consultation at present which are his responsibility as Head of Service. He assured that alinement will be undertaken between the documentation;

·         Reference was made that it was not considered that 48 responses to the public consultation on the draft Destination Management Plan was sufficient.  Questions were raised as to whether the use of social media would improve the responses to such public consultation processe?  The Visitor Economy and Coastal Areas Manager responded that he considered that the 48 responses received were constrictive and of a high standard whilst acknowledging that a higher number of responses would have been more favourable.  He noted that the current public consultation process was undertaken with the Council’s on-line facilities with the use of the website and press releases.  The Deputy Chief Executive said that the Senior Leadership Team is investigation as to how the Council is able to increase the responses into public consultation on various documentations at present;

·         The Committee expressed that there is a need for sustainable tourism on the Island and that it does not affect local communities. Questions were raised as to the intention to establish a Sub-Group to discuss matters relating to sustainable tourism? The Visitor Economy and Coastal Areas Manager responded that the establishment of a Sub-Group is to enable feedback and ideas to ensure that the tourism sector is more sustainable and also links to the special attractions of the Island as regards to nature, landscape, wildlife and the history of Anglesey;

·         Reference was made to the issues of illegal parking of campervans on specific areas on the Island.  Comments were made that adequate parking facilities needs to be available for campervans.  The Deputy Chief Executive responded that the internal Tourism Management Group has established a Sub-Group to specifically discuss the issues as regards to illegal parking of campervans and the need to address the required facilities for campervans;

·         Reference was made to the popularity of Llanddwyn Beach and  Newborough Forest by tourist which is causing traffic problems for the local community with emergency services unable to access the village of Newborough with the closure of the road leading to the village .  Questions were raised as to the how the Council intends to address the continued traffic problems faced by the residents of Newborough?  The Head of Regulation and Economic Development responded that there are currently discussions been undertaken with Natural Resources Wales to alleviate the problems at Newborough so as to establish a strategic action plan for the area.  He noted that the Council are eager to be part of the discussions so as to give confidence to the local community that the traffic issues are been considered.

It was RESOLVED:

·     To recommend that the Destination Management Plan be approved for adoption by the Executive;

·     The Scrutiny Chairs and Vice-chairs Forum be requested to consider the propriety of programming a specific item on the impact of tourism on local communities for a future meeting of the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee.

ACTION : As noted above.