Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: For Determination

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: October 7, 2025

Purpose: To recommend an amendment to the budget.

Content: Resolved:   That Cabinet recommends that Full Council:   Delegate to the Director of Planning, Economy and Regeneration, responsibility to take forward the procurement of the Destination Management Plan through VisitWiltshire, in accordance with legal and procurement requirements.   Reason for decision:   Production of a Destination Management Plan is a key requirement of VisitEngland for LVEPs, and the expectation from VisitEngland is that this work should be targeted for completion by March 2026.   It has been identified that given the requirement for sector engagement and the timescale in which this work is to be completed, VisitWiltshire as the accredited Destination Management Organisation and Local Visitor Economic Partnership are well placed to complete this work.   It is considered that VisitWiltshire are best placed to produce the Destination Management Plan given the need for the LVEP to lead production of the strategy, for which VisitWiltshire are the designated authority. In addition, this option complies with VisitEngland’s requirement for LVEPs to receive public sector funding, which would be strengthened by VisitWiltshire being funded to undertake this work. Thirdly, the production of the Destination Management plan requires the producer to engage with the Wiltshire visitor economy, for which VisitWiltshire are the key contact.   Funding for VisitWiltshire was approved to cease at the end of the financial year 2023/24 as part of the 2023/24 Budget approved by Full Council in February 2023 and approved again as part of the 2024/25 Budget approved by Full Council in February 2024. The proposal included within this report reverses those decisions and therefore being presented to ensure due governance processes are followed as part of the Budget and Policy Framework.