The report outlined the different options researched and a recommendation for the procurement and launch of a new website to showcase the Borough as being an excellent location to visit, stay, live, Work and do business.

A motion was MOVED by Councillor Rowlands and SECONDED by Councillor Cloke to agree the recommendations in the report.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY

1.     To agree the commissioning and development of a Brentwood Visitor and Location Website utilizing the Visit Essex Partner Scheme option 2b

2.     To implement this under the delegated authority of the Head of Service for Planning and Development utilizing £10,000 of the 2015/16 Economic Development Budget.

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION

The one over-riding request from the visitor economy businesses in the Borough following the successful workshop with Visit Essex  in March 2014 was for one co-ordinated offer for the visitor which could be provided by a visitor website (especially important given the demise of the Tourism Information Centre).

A Visitor and Location Website would provide the most effective vehicle to market the whole Borough including its attractions, eateries, commercial and retail offer, enterprise projects, living and work space, talented workforce and excellent transport links.  The site would cater for their different audiences and offer personal contact information for business enquiries.

The Website development and promotion supports the visitor economy, business support and investment objectives of the Economic Development Strategy.

The NVG options use economies of scale to build, host, monitor, provide support and maintenance for partner sites and so offer the most cost effective option.  This has been tried and tested having successfully designed the re-launched Visit Essex.