Agenda and minutes

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests.

(a)  To agree the Minutes of the meeting held on 6^th March 2024

(b)  Matters arising

The minutes of the meeting on 5^th March 2024 were agreed and signed as a true record. There were no matters arising.

Briefing Note of the Director of Regeneration and Economy

The Business, Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Board (3) received a presentation and briefing note of the Director of Regeneration and Economy that provided an update on progress in establishing Destination Coventry as a sustainable Destination Management Organisation (DMO) for the city. It also provided a review and update on activity undertaken by the DMO to promote Coventry as a destination for business and leisure tourism, in support of delivery of the Coventry Tourism Strategy 2019-2023 outcomes. It further provided a review of the recent changes in national and regional tourism infrastructure and requested consideration of the priorities in securing a sustainable DMO and new Tourism Strategy for the City.

The Chair of Destination Coventry and the Chair of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce attended the meeting for this item.

The presentation and briefing note detailed:

Destination Coventry

·  Background

·  Headline Aims, Outputs and Impact

·  Coventry Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Monitor Data

Coventry Tourism Strategy

·  Coventry Tourism Strategy 2019-2023

·  Visitor Economy Sector Developments and Coventry Tourism Strategy 2024+

The establishment of Destination Coventry as a proof-of-concept model for a new DMO was anticipated to increase resources for tourism promotion and destination management, thereby creating opportunities to improve service delivery, invest in the City’s visitor offer and strengthen the business and leisure tourism economy within the city and its surroundings.

Destination Coventry had successfully secured over £209k of additional private sector investment over the pilot period, to support tourism promotion and destination management. Whilst it should be noted that the model was still in its relative infancy and the development of a longer-term sustainable model was required, the projected success of the DMO and Partnership Local Visitor Economy Partnership model would contribute to sustaining and increasing employment in the tourism and hospitality sectors, creating positive opportunities for local people. This would further promote Coventry as a visitor destination and focus for investment, promoting opportunities for sustainable and inclusive growth in the city, thereby contributing to positive health outcomes for local residents.

In considering the presentation and briefing note, the Board questioned officers, received responses and discussed matters summarised below:

·  Increase in visitor numbers – mostly domestic visitor increase. Room rates were higher than they had ever been with hotel occupancy rates between 1-2%

·  Collaborative working essential to capture and share data to obtain an economic footprint

·  Destination Coventry – DMO commitment to working to ensure that Coventry works as a brand and a destination

·  Whole of Warwickshire was included – would provide better outcomes for the whole region

·  £107,000 secured from local private sector membership

·  Exhibitions/trade industry stands – stand presence generated cash transactions, with some in-kind transactions

·  DMO assisted businesses in securing business or signposting them to secure business for their venues

·  Data comparison of business support carried out by the Destination Management Organisation against external providers

·  97 active members of Destination Coventry

·  DMO support to businesses through the post COVID ‘Step back into hospitality’ scheme

·  Marketing – domestic only marketing for proof of concept. Proof of concept was about getting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

Briefing Note of the Director of Regeneration and Economy

The Business, Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Board (3) received a presentation and briefing note of the Director of Regeneration and Economy that provided progress of the Council’s domestic retrofit programmes.

The presentation and briefing note detailed:

·  Domestic Retrofit overview

·  Retrofit Current Activity

·  Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) 2

·  Home Upgrade Grant 2

·  Energy Company Obligation (ECO) 4

·  Local Authority Delivery 3

·  Retrofit Challenges

·  Customer take-up (engagement)

·  Grant Funding and Finance

·  Accuracy of Data to Target Properties

·  Complex and Inflexible Eligibility Criteria

·  Supply Chain and Skills Shortages

·  Housing Stock and Planning

·  Retrofit Opportunities

·  Customer Engagement

·  Retrofit Funding

·  Innovation

·  Policy

·  Skills

·  Next Steps

Fuel Poverty disproportionately affected householders who were vulnerable and on low incomes, and particularly those with ill-health or disabilities. Increasing the capacity of funding available to support these residents was of vital importance.

Most of these programmes specifically supported those residents suffering from fuel poverty or those on low incomes. The improvement of energy efficiency to their homes could help to reduce energy bills, help residents to keep their homes warmer, reduce potential for mould and damp growth, and ultimately help residents to stay healthier.

In considering the presentation and briefing note, the Board asked questions and received responses on the matters summarised below:

·  Eligibility criteria – financial products, ‘Green Finance’ was being pursued with banks to support those not eligible for the scheme with offers that were affordable/manageable

·  Specific loft and cavity wall insulation schemes were available and open to all, but these were not very well promoted/offered by suppliers

·  Affordability – examples of schemes in the Northwest of the country that offered energy efficiency measures with no up-front costs. Service based contract payable over a number of years/fixed-term

·  Information on retrofit programmes/energy efficiency measures were available through direct mail, libraries, community centres and churches

·  Important to get message out - consideration to be given to the use of local radio channels to promote the programmes/measures available to residents.

·  Members to be supplied with information on the measures available, including the list of accredited traders for the works, that they could provide to residents to sign post them to the retrofit programmes

·  141 properties across the city had been supported with energy efficiency measures – variety of works undertaken

·  Progress of those who had undertaken the 2-week retrofitting course

·  Net zero carbon footprint – achievable with relevant Government funding support

·  Once the Net Zero Neighbourhood Project was completed, investigate the preparation of a city-wide retrofit business case

·  Energy suppliers had a major role in supporting home-owners to achieve energy efficiency measures – provision of a service over a long term that would enable residents to acquire a retrofit at an affordable monthly amount on their energy bills

·  Development of a green financial product between authorities being investigated - Wolverhampton, Coventry and Birmingham

·  Need a long-term programme with achievable outcomes - supply chain in place, and skills set available

·  Consideration currently being given to establish an Energy Masterplan for the City for the next 15 years

·  Very  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

Report of the Scrutiny Co-ordinator

The Business, Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Board (3) received a report of the Scrutiny Co-ordinator, that detailed items that had been considered by the Board during the Municipal Year 2023/24 and the proposed issues to be included on the Board’s Work Programme for 2024/25.

RESOLVED that the Business, Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Board (3):

1)  Notes the issues considered at meeting of the Board for the Municipal Year 2023/2024 and the proposed issues to be included on the Board’s Work Programme for 2024/25.

2)  Requests that updates on the following be added to the Board’s Work Programme for 2024/25:

a)  Green Park

b)  City Centre South

c)  Very Light Rail

There were no other items of public business.