Marketing committee structure changed

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 524, 22 February 1994, Page 11

Marketing committee structure changed

Changes to the structure of the Ruapehu District Council's marketing subcommittee were accepted by the council at their February meeting. The aim of the changes was to ensure the subcommittee would be "effectively meeting the needs of the council's marketing operation, which has significantly changed in nature since its initial estab-

lishment," said marketing manager Bruce Rollinson in his report. A controversial element of the review was the proviso that "to ensure any marketing-related annual funding submissions are assessed on an impartial basis, the members appointed to the Subcommittee will not be directly affiliated to organisations requesting grants."

He suggested that public nominations be called for to fill five positions, with appointments made by the mayor and the chief executive. Applicants would be required to ha ve experience and skills in either adventure tourism, accommoda- ' tion, retail or business development. Cr June Baker said she did not believe there was any parochialism within the

subcommittee as it stood, and that the council should have "more trust in those people". Chief executive Cliff Houston said the "parochialism" comment came from the existing subcommittee itself. The appointments are to be made to ensure districtwide representation, and a representative from the Department of Conserva-

tion would be retained as a co-opted representative "to provide expert ad vice to the subcommittee in the conservation field." Mr Rollinson said the present structure was "organisational based". Most members represented tourism and development organisations or ski field companies. His proposal would see appointments based on skills and expertise neces-

sary to carry out the functions of the subcommittee, including forming the marketing annual plan submission; overseeing the implementation of the marketing parts of the plan; co-ordi-nate the provision of services and allocation of funds; and provide general advice to Council on marketing matters. "This is a natural progression which gives more

opportunity to people with a wider base of skills and that's important," said Cr Ellen Gould.