Question 5: QVMAG Policy Settings for Cultural Tourism

Question 5: If you have either individually or collectively done so, what form has it taken and how has it manifested itself in the 'policy settings' you as aldermen have put in place and/or championed? 

Response: A nationally recognised expert was engaged and presented a report to Aldermen. A dedicated unit has been set up (as a result of the Council report of 24 April 2017) within the organisation to work with this expert to develop the policies and strategies. Regular reports to Aldermen will occur through this process. At the same time the Council has engaged with other organisations, such as MONA, to deliver tangible outcomes. 

MY RESPONSE: Again, the question was addressed to the Aldermen individually and collectively and not management. Nonetheless, it is now clear that despite the significant fiscal investment attached to this report: 

• It is has not as yet delivered an outcome; nor 
• Have there been regular reports as indicated; nor 
• Despite apparently ad hoc management strategy, Council/Trustee strategies are not even close to being implemented; and
• it appears as if Council has not made any progress in regard to putting a policy setting in place that is relevant to cultural tourism. 

By extension it is apparent that aldermen are not cognoscente of the opportunities – cultural and fiscal – being missed at the expense of the QVMAG’s Community of Ownership & Interest (COI _ stakeholders plus) and especially rate and tax payers.