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RESOLVED: Cabinet;
1.   
Approved the Northamptonshire Tourism Strategy
attached at Appendix A;
2.   
Supported the proposal to continue to work closely
with colleagues in North Northamptonshire, wider stakeholders and
private sector representatives would begin to develop a LVEP. A
future report would be brought to Cabinet which would set out
detailed implementation plans and financial implications related to
the development of the LVEP.
3.   
Delegated authority to the Director of Communities
& Opportunities in consultation with the Cabinet Member for
Economic Development, Town Centre Regeneration and Growth would
undertake any activity to develop the plans for LVEP development,
ahead of these being brought back to the Cabinet for
approval.
 
REASONS RESOLVED:
1.   
To support the visitor economy enabling economic
benefits for the entire County, resulting in increased Gross Value
Added (GVA), pride in place, inward investment and jobs.
2.   
To strategically grow the tourism offer, working
collaboratively with North Northamptonshire Council, businesses,
education providers and other relevant stakeholders in order to
further deliver beneficial economic growth as a result of increased
visitors and spend.
3.   
To explore the County-wide benefits of having an
accredited LVEP, which would include expert support to drive the
visitor economy and the potential of future funding only available
to LVEPs
 
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:
The alternative option would be
to not have a Northamptonshire Tourism Strategy. However, this
would not be a recommended approach as both councils wouldn’t
have a clear direction or plan to address the challenges faced by
the declining visitor economy in Northamptonshire.
Without a dedicated strategy,
the county might miss out on valuable opportunities to attract more
visitors, generate increased spending, and create jobs which can be
realised by delivering county-wide initiatives.