At the Full Council meeting tonight, one of the final points of business was to discuss East Cambs handing tourism to the City Council.
Despite objections of the speed of the handover from Liberal Democrat Lorna Dupre and Independent Derrick Beckett the motion to give control to City of Ely passed.
Dupre asked the committee to consider setting up a working group to look at the impact of transferring the responsibility of Tourism and assets to the City but did agree that the City of Ely should look after its tourism. Beckett also asked the committee to agree for democratic reasons.
All other members eligible to vote denied the objections and with the exceptions of the two members agreed unanimously to pass the tourism and assets to the City.
Ted Coney from Coney Family Portraits attended the council meeting in favour of the City Council. He stated “I am delighted that the City of Ely is taking it (Oliver Cromwell’s House) over because the house itself is a fantastic resource and it’s brilliant to visit with kids. I think it’s a Hidden Gem that needs exploiting”.
Mayor and Councillor of both East Cambs and City Richard Hobbs could not vote due to a conflict of interest. He said, “The decision taken by ECDC to transfer tourism services to the City of Ely council is wonderful news.”
Hobbs continues “We have a very strong professional team at Oliver Cromwell house and we look forward to the challenges ahead making Ely a destination of choice and enhancing our city centre management.”
Options for towns in the area will be considered when it came to their tourism and each will an option to decide how best to proceed.
Handover is expected to be completed by April next year and staffing Oliver Cromwell House is expected to remain the same.
