THE leader of Bridport Town Council has welcomed a recommendation for the authority to take over the running of the Tourist Information Centre (TIC).

West Dorset District Council’s (WDDC) executive committee will decide next week whether it pushes forward with plans to allow Bridport Town Council to take over running of the TIC.

Last year, it was reported that WDDC was undertaking a review of the tourist information centres in Bridport, Dorchester, Lyme Regis and Sherborne as it sought to see if an alternative means of running the facilities outside the council’s auspices would be beneficial to all concerned parties.

In a report to members of the executive committee, Nick Thornley, head of economy, leisure and tourism has recommended that £150,000 from the authority’s reserves will be paid to Bridport Town Council – with the office being transferred by April next year, while existing staff would be transferred under TUPE legislation, following a consultation.

He added: “Bridport Town Council has submitted a formal proposal for taking over the management of the TIC and a report from the town clerk was presented to the town council’s finance and general purposes committee.

“Members agreed the recommendations. The report outlined the proposed transfer arrangements and requested that the committee agrees the terms of the transfer of the TIC in order to allow the town clerk to conclude discussions, subject to WDDC’s executive committee approval on August 9.

“The town council is confident that it can maintain the existing service level, while implementing initiatives to enhance services and income, but requires some funding to assist with transitional arrangements.”

The terms of the transfer would also include the gifting of existing IT equipment. If agreed, the one-off payment of £150,000 would leave the district council with a zero operational cost for Bridport TIC in 2017/18, excluding recharges.

Cllr Sarah Williams, leader of Bridport Town Council, said: “The town council has been working very quietly for a while on this.

"I think we are in a very good position to take it over. I think it can become much more efficient.

"It is absolutely vital to the town. The tourism industry is very important to the town and the tourism season is a lot longer than it used to be. Keeping the TIC open will help the guest houses and hotels, as well as local shops, bars and businesses - so it can support the town's economy in many ways."

The executive committee will meet to vote on the proposals on Tuesday (9).