Agenda item

The report of the Director – Development and Economic Growth is attached.

The Leader and Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Borough-wide Leadership, Councillor Clarke MBE presented the report of the Director – Development and Economic Growth detailing the Rushcliffe Sport and Tourism Charter.

The Leader stated that it was hoped that this Charter would promote tourism and the visitor economy, by encouraging visitors attending sporting events to stay for longer and enjoy the Borough. He advised that high level talks had taken place with various local clubs, and whilst Nottingham Forest’s name was not currently included, the club was involved and fully supportive and the Leader was confident that the club’s name would be added to the Charter over the next few months.

Councillor Brennan seconded the recommendation and reserved the right to speak.

Councillor Polenta referred to the importance of grass roots sports and felt that investing in sport was investing in healthier lives, with sport crossing social divides. She agreed that sporting events helped to boost the local economy, with tourism linked to that building resilience and strengthening communities. It was important to create partnership working, to ensure that everyone could be involved.  

Councillor S Mallender stated that whilst supporting the Charter, she was concerned that there was no reference in it to local residents, nor any commitment to promote active travel and public transport, to improve the parking problems faced by residents, especially when Nottingham Forest was playing. She stated that assurances had previously been given that the club would liaise with local residents; however, that had yet to happen and whilst wanting to encourage sport and bring people to Rushcliffe, it was important that local residents were not forgotten.

Councillor Plant reiterated those comments, and whilst acknowledging the huge contribution that the club made, the impact on residents and local infrastructure due to the lack of parking could not be ignored and some meaningful dialogue was required.

Councillor Gowland also agreed with comments made and stated that it was very hard to engage with Nottingham Forest, land was available for parking and local residents should be listened to.

Councillor Grocock agreed that tourism was a very important growth area for the Borough and referred to the Strategy’s importance to the East Midland Combined Authority (EMCCA). He felt that there was a “broadbrush” interpretation when considering the visitor economy for the EMCCA region, which simplified it into the City and rural Derbyshire. Councillor Grocock acknowledged the many rural areas in Rushcliffe, and the important role that they could play, which would mean interpreting sport on its broadest level. He felt that it was important to align sport with its broader role and questioned how the Charter and Strategy would fall within the broader interpretation of economic growth and how tourism businesses would be supported.

Councillor Chaplain struggled to think how community groups would deliver visitor-focused services and asked which groups the Charter was referring to. She also questioned the statement that there would be investment in sport-led regeneration, when the report stated that no financial implications had been identified, and sought clarification on that.

Whilst sharing concerns regarding traffic, Councillor Matthews felt that this was a separate issues already being addressed, the report was about encouraging visitors to extend their stay in Rushcliffe, and boosting the local economy, and if they could be encouraged to use public transport that would be even better.

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Brennan referred to the Council’s Economic Growth Strategy, which had tourism as a key priority, as did EMCCA. She agreed that EMCCA’s focus was on larger strategic areas, and it was therefore important that Rushcliffe had its own platform. She advised that whilst everyone was aware of the positive economic influences sport could have, sport importantly also helped to foster a sense of place and civic pride. Councillor Brennan stated that whilst she was not diminishing the concerns already raised about transport, from a strategic and economic level, this represented a fantastic opportunity, with Rushcliffe fortunate to have such fantastic sporting venues, and she welcomed the Council’s continued commitment to develop new initiatives.

The Leader stated that Rushcliffe was the home of sport, with assets to be built upon and advised that the Charter was the start of the process, with more sports becoming involved over time. He acknowledged the comments raised regarding local residents’ concerns, and whilst those would not be ignored, they were dealt with as part of the planning process. The Charter was focused on promoting visitors to come and watch sport and stay in the Borough. The Leader agreed that it was important to collaborate with EMCCA, although work should not be duplicated and this Charter specifically identified Rushcliffe, with fresh ideas about engagement and taking action. The Leader advised that community groups had been referenced to ensure that everyone was included, and he confirmed that sports clubs would be contributing financially, with the Council acting as the facilitator. He concluded by asking for suggestions going forward of venues and places that visitors might wish to visit.  

It was RESOLVED that the adoption of the draft Rushcliffe: Together in Sport Charter be approved, with final amendments delegated to the Director – Development and Economic Growth.