REPORT TO:CABINET MEMBER FOR CULTURE AND COMMUNITIES
DECISION NUMBER:PH/74/2010
EARLIEST DATE FOR DECISION:6th June 2010

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR BLACKPOOL TO BE CONSIDERED AS A WORLD HERITAGE SITE
Matter for Consideration:
The submission of an Expression of Interest for Blackpool to be included on the UK Tentative List for consideration as a World Heritage Site.
Information:
In line with the 2006 Heritage Strategy, officers have been engaged in the development of a bid for World Heritage Site status. A range of research has been undertaken in order to establish the viability of, and rationale for, achieving World Heritage Site status.

Securing World Heritage Site status is anticipated to have a number of economic and social benefits for Blackpool, including:-

• Increasing investment from public and private sector sources
• Boosting our visitor economy through an increase in higher-spending cultural tourists.
• Creating new employment and enterprise opportunities for local people.
• Enhancing Blackpool’s brand, and creating new positive media opportunities.
• Safeguarding our built heritage, especially our most iconic structures
• Raising quality in our public realm
• Building civic pride, and raising community aspirations
• Raising levels of educational achievement through the creation of new lifelong learning opportunities linked to our local heritage

Does the information submitted include any exempt information?NO
Legal Considerations:
None
Personnel Considerations:
None
Financial Considerations:
There is no additional cost to the Council in submitting an Expression of Interest at this time. Should the Council's Expression of Interest be successful and it is decided to continue with a submission, there will be some modest resources required for the next stage of consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Panel. This is likely to include support from officers, particularly in Cultural Services and Planning Services and additional financial resources of around £120,000 over three to five years. Based on the experience of other UK World Heritage Sites it is expected that a contribution from external sources such as Heritage Lottery, English Heritage and private sponsorship would be available. Should the Council's expression of interest be successful, a further decision would be required to progress the submission. At this stage, the Council would need to identify how any such expenditure not met from external sources would be funded.
Performance Management Considerations:
Making a submission for World Heritage Site inscription is a key action in both the Directorate and Service Business Plans.
Risk Management Considerations:
Should the Council choose not to support making an Expression of Interest at this time, there will not be a subsequent opportunity to make an application for World Heritage Site status for many years to come. Financial considerations have been outlined in section 8.
Relevant Officer:
Helen France, Corporate Director Places
Relevant Cabinet Member:
Councillor T. Williams
Consultation Undertaken:
A steering group was formed involving key stakeholders, including ReBlackpool (now the Economic Development Company), senior officers from the Place directorate and English Heritage. Members of Blackpool Heritage Forum, Blackpool Civic Trust and the Fylde Coast Cultural Strategy Working Group have been informed of progress on the bid.
Background Papers:
None
Is this a key decision?NO
Is the decision required in less than 5 days?NO
Recommendations:
That officers proceed with the submission of an Expression of Interest to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.
Reasons for Recommendations:
There are many positive economic and social benefits of World Heritage Site status which would have a transformational impact on the regeneration of the town. An Expression of Interest would be a very positive statement about Blackpool’s commitment to heritage at a particularly vital time as the Tower and Winter Gardens transfer to the Council’s ownership. Submitting an Expression of Interest now does not commit Blackpool to full World Heritage Status, but it will maintain Blackpool's profile. Making an Expression of Interest will not cost the Council anything. The Council has done enough preparatory work and has sufficient expertise in-house to submit a good quality application.
Is the recommendation contrary to a plan or strategy adopted or approved by the Council?NO
Is the recommendation in accordance with the Council’s approved Budget?YES
Other alternative options to be considered:
The Council could choose not to progress the process of securing World Heritage Site status for Blackpool..
Policy, Overview, and Scrutiny Committee Chairman (where appropriate)
Date Informed: N/A
Date Approved: N/A
DECLARATION(S) OF INTEREST (if applicable)
None
Decision:
The Cabinet Member agreed as an urgent decision the recommendation as outlined above namely: That officers proceed with the submission of an Expression of Interest to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.
Date:9th June 2010
Reason for Decision:
There are many positive economic and social benefits of World Heritage Site status which would have a transformational impact on the regeneration of the town. An Expression of Interest would be a very positive statement about Blackpool’s commitment to heritage at a particularly vital time as the Tower and Winter Gardens transfer to the Council’s ownership. Submitting an Expression of Interest now does not commit Blackpool to full World Heritage Status, but it will maintain Blackpool's profile. Making an Expression of Interest will not cost the Council anything. The Council has done enough preparatory work and has sufficient expertise in-house to submit a good quality application.

Date of Publication:		9th June 2010


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