WEST WALES HOSPITALITY PANEL
22ND OF SEPTEMBER 2004 - The National Botanic Garden of Wales, Llanarthney
Attendees – Chris Osborne, Tim Giles, Gary Davies, Lynne Jones, Diana James, Lisa Johnston, Lowri Edwards.
1) Welcome and Apologies – CO welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies were given by Geoff Haydn, Tony McGetrick, Barbara Priest, and Phil Drakeford.
2) Minutes from previous meetings – TG stated that he was not chair of Carmarthenshire Tourist Association and if that could be noted for the next meeting.
3) What are we bringing to the table? – CO asked everyone why they were in the meeting and what they felt they brought to the meeting. TG stated that he attended the meetings to ensure the industry was equipped with knowledge and skills they needed to help increase visitor numbers to Carmarthenshire. TG stated that we need professional staff to meet our goals and people’s perception of the industry needs to be changed. Ly.J stated that her role was to link ELWa with the coordination of the project and find out if there were any gaps in provision. The needs of the industry can be fed to ELWa for future projects. Li.J stated that she was here to deliver the Gallu project and ensure the project was successful. LE stated that she was writing the minutes and was delivering what the industry wanted from the Gallu project in Pembrokeshire. DJ highlighted that her role was to support regional partners and Lisa and her team, to feed information and link with Wales. She also intended to work towards the memorandum of understanding between the Tourism Training Forum for Wales and People First and commit to working together on a strategic plan. GD stated that he intended to work towards a strategic plan and felt that the project was an excellent example of a partnership with a multi agency approach. Additionally he viewed the project as complimentary to other partnership objectives e.g seasonality issues, profile, competitiveness and the quality of the service and product. GD stated that the SWWTP Strategic plan for 2004-08 identifies HRD and Business and People development as a core objective. The SWWTP have committed £180k to the project therefore want to see things being delivered to the industry. TG also stated that he felt he would be a link to find out what the industry wants and feed back to the project. CO stated that he cares about the quality of what the industry is offering and he wants to see the industry developing. If people perform there will be success.
4) Gallu Update – Li.J stated that all training providers in the four regions had either been met or contacted. A pilot survey of the TNA had been carried out and changes had been made to it after visiting 6 establishments. They are now awaiting the TNA on a CD Rom to use when visiting the trade. Steering Group meetings have been set up in each area over the next two weeks. Members of the trade, training providers and agencies are attending the meetings to discuss how the project can move forward in each area. GD asked whether a meeting could be set up after the TNA has been carried out to discuss what the main action points are that come as a result of the TNA. Li.J stated that this could be done in November after the TNA has been carried out or in January when the final results have been collated. CO suggested having two meetings one after each stage. GD suggested putting it down as an agenda item at each meeting in future. It was also suggested to state what we are aiming to deliver through the project and highlighting that this would not have been achieved without the Gallu project being in place. GD stated that this needs to be done as the Welsh Assembly will want to know what the project has delivered and it needs to be highlighted as an example of a multi agency demand led project. CO stated that in the area steering groups some ideas need to come out of it. Li.J stated that the first steering group will be held to try and find out who wants to be involved in the project; however some ideas may come from there. CO stated that this would be the last time he would carry out the West Wales Hospitably Tourism Strategy Presentation as in future he would like to see a progress report being carried out instead. TG asked if people felt the TNA was too academic, and if the Gallu Team felt they got the information they wanted. Li.J stated that Michelle and Lowri did have some difficulties with regard to the TNA, however they will have training on how to deliver the TNA before they visit the businesses.
TG asked everyone on the steering group if they were happy with the setup and the progress the Gallu project. GD stated that he was happy with everything and the pace. It was good timing for the project to start as businesses were busy therefore everything could be put in place. Li.J highlighted that internal procedures have been set up and everything is going well, however it is frustrating that businesses have not yet been met as they have been so busy. There is a large proportion of training providers at the launch as the team have been busy meeting with them. DJ stated that the team were doing well and they have been focusing on what needs to be done. CO asked if the minutes could be typed up and distributed within 7 days and TG asked if the panel could receive a copy of the Gallu Executive Steering Group minutes, CO agreed and suggested that the minutes are also put on the Gallu website. CO stated that he was frustrated that courses could not been delivered. However he was pleased with the progress of the Coordinator and facilitators. CO stated that Lowri’s office should be ready by the 27th of September.
5) AOB – DJ stated about the Best Practice Learning to Succeed Awards and encouraged businesses to nominate providers which interact with businesses. The Awards would be in 2005 and if anyone wants application forms to contact TTFW offices. DJ asked whether the West Wales Hospitality Panel will endorse the award. Everyone agreed. TG asked whether an A4 page could be written with points of what has and will be done in relation to the Gallu project and if this could be distributed to all trade members to keep them updated. Li.J stated that this would all be noted in the newsletter and on the website.
6) Date of Next Meeting - 15th of December 2004 – Venue and time to be confirmed.