Council in discussions with Seaton Jurassic over resuming tourism services

Discussions have taken place between Seaton Town Council and Seaton Jurassic concerning the limited provision of tourist information services during the coronavirus lockdown.

Members of the council's Finance and General Purposes Committee received an update from the Mayor, Cllr Kenneth Beer, on the discussions he had had with Seaton Jurassic regarding the lack of services during this time.

The Town Clerk, Julia Mutlow, outlined the provisions of the service level agreement between Devon Wildlife Services, who run Seaton Jurassic, and the council.

Whilst the service provided under the service level agreement since late March had fallen below what had been agreed, members recognised and acknowledged that this was due to the unprecedented challenges presented by the global pandemic and no criticism was intended of Seaton Jurassic as the council's partner in providing TIC services.

However, the council had a duty to account for its expenditure to the public and members, after lengthy discussions, took the view that they could not justify making payments to Devon Wildlife Services for the period during which the tourist information centre had been closed. It was noted that Seaton Jurassic reopened on July 24.

Members recommended that no payments would be made for the first quarter (April to June), 50 per cent of the monthly fee would be paid for July to reflect the reopening of the service and full payments would resume, as from August 1, as long as TIC services were open and available seven days a week as required under the service level agreement.

It was agreed the town clerk would write to Seaton Jurassic to confirm the decision.