Posted in document archives - Market Management Minutes

Minutes of the Market Management Committee Meeting

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BIDEFORD TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of the Market Management Committee Meeting
held in the Mayor’s Parlour, Town Hall, Bideford, on
Thursday 7 July 2011 at 6.00 pm

PRESENT:

North Ward:

Councillor Mrs E A Brenton
Councillor D C Fulford
Councillor Mrs M P Fulford

South Ward:

Councillor D G Brenton (Chairman)
Councillor S G Inch (Deputy Town Mayor)
Councillor R I Wootton

IN ATTENDANCE:

Mr R D G Coombes (Market Administrator)
5 x Market Traders/Tenants
4 x Members of the Public

014    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

There were no absentees.

015    DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

There were no declarations of interest at this time.

016    PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD

No members of the public raised any issues.

017    MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 2 June 2011 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote: – For: 6, Against: 0)

018    ITEMS BROUGHT FORWARD BY THE CHAIRMAN

The Chairman read out to the Committee a letter signed by seven market traders regarding the Friday Pannier Market.  The signatories wished to discuss Council support for the market traders, the cost of a stall on Fridays, the desire for four weeks’ free trading, the provision of a free bus service from the Quay (ostensibly for disabled people) and while they asserted their commitment they do not believe that they are in receipt of the support they need.  Discussion followed expressing a desire to support the traders.  Members felt that fresh produce needed to be introduced to the Market to encourage greater footfall.  It was suggested that the allotment holders should be encouraged to trade with favourable terms offered by way of an inducement. The Chairman confirmed that these and other topics to encourage more trade to the Market would be explored in future Market Management Advisory Committee Meetings.

019    TERMINATIONS OF LEASES BY TENANTS/APPLICATIONS RECEIVED FOR TENANCIES OF PREMISES

Mr David Ellis, a current trader, had expressed an interest in the vacant shop within the Pannier Market Hall.

Proposed by Councillor Brenton, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That Mr Ellis is granted the lease to the shop with immediate effect.

(Vote – For:  6, Against:  0)

020    KENWITH COMPANY OF ARCHERS

Mr Steve White, Chairman of the Kenwith Company of Archers, and Mr Steve Burgess gave a presentation on the equipment that the Archers use and a flavour of the competitive success enjoyed by the Company.  They reiterated the importance of the availability of the Pannier Market Hall to them and indicated that they wished to continue from the second Tuesday in September 2011.  On conclusion the Chairman thanked them for attending.

Proposed by Councillor Mrs Brenton, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the Kenwith Company of Archers continue the hire of the Pannier Market Hall from 13 September 2011 under the same terms enjoyed during the 2010 to 2011 season.

(Vote – For:  6, Against:  0)

021    MARKET MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Market Administrator advised that six traders/tenants had expressed an interest in taking up a position on the soon to be reformed Market Management Advisory Committee.  After brief discussion it was felt that the first Meeting should be scheduled to take place immediately prior to the next Market Management Committee Meeting.

Proposed by Councillor Mrs Brenton, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the Market Management Advisory Group be reformed with membership made up from the Market Management Committee members and Mrs Jeanette Fisher, Mrs Pauline Spencer, Mr Malcolm Overson, Mrs Rosemary
Rodgers, Mrs Denise Standen and Mrs Sue Wade.  The inaugural meeting will be held on 4 August 2011 at 6.00 pm.

(Vote – For:  6, Against:  0)

022    HIRE OF MARKET HALL BY THE BIDEFORD AND DISTRICT CACTI & POT PLANT CLUB – 14 AUGUST 2011

The Market Administrator advised that a request had been made to stage the now annual Bideford and District Cacti & Pot Plant Club on Sunday 14 August 2011 in the Market Hall.

Proposed by Councillor Mrs Brenton, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the Bideford and District Cacti & Pot Plant Club are invited to hire the Hall on 14 August 2011 under the same terms enjoyed in August 2010 (at a charge of £180.00).

(Vote – For:  6, Against:  0)

023    HIRE OF MARKET BY CONFLUENCE – 29 SEPTEMBER 2011

The Market Administrator advised of a meeting that he had with Confluence, a multi disciplinary arts, environment and technology project, expanding on the detail that the Committee had previously had sight of.

Proposed by Councillor Brenton, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That Confluence is invited to hire the Hall on 29 September 2011 from 10.00 am to 8.00 pm at a rate of £180.00.

(Vote – For:  6, Against:  0)

024    HONESTONE CAR PARK NAME

The Market Administrator advised on correspondence regarding the possibility of changing the name of Honestone Car Park to reflect its relative position to the Pannier Market.  Costs quoted by Torridge District Council were £80.00 for signage and £50.00 for telephone parking.

Proposed by Councillor Mrs Brenton, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That a letter be sent to Torridge District Council requesting that the name of Honestone Car Park be changed to Pannier Market Car Park at the costs quoted.

(Vote – For:  6, Against: 0)

025    TUESDAY (26 JULY 2011) MARKET ON THE QUAY

The Market Administrator advised that the 2011 Atlantic Watersports Games would be holding a Food and Craft Market on Bideford Quay from Sunday 24 to Thursday 28 July 2011.  Bideford Pannier Market traders had raised concerns that the Market scheduled for Tuesday 26 July 2011 would clash with the Pannier Market held on the same day.  It was also believed that this contravened the Market Charter.  Discussion followed suggesting that a precedent could be set should the Food and Craft Market be allowed to take place on that day.  However, Members would welcome those traders, who wished to operate in Bideford on the Tuesday, to trade in the Pannier Market.  Councillor Inch reminded the Committee that the Town Council had made a £5,000.00 payment in support of the Games to North Devon +.

Proposed by Councillor Brenton, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That a letter would be written to the Solicitor of Torridge District Council objecting to a Food and Craft Market being held on the Quay on Tuesday 26 July 2011, in what is believed to be in contravention of the Charter of Incorporation 1573.

(Vote – For:  6, Against:  0)

026    ACCOUNTS

Councillor Mrs Brenton on reviewing the Accounts speculated whether there were funds to support a form of taxi service for the Market.  Councillor Brenton stated that any profit needed to be ploughed back into the Market.

Proposed by Councillor Mrs Brenton, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the list of payments be approved.

(Vote – For:  6, Against:  0)

027    MARKET ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

a.    The Bideford Amateur Boxing Club have intimated that they would like to hire the Hall on the evening of 24 March 2012.  A formal letter will follow.

b.    The Bideford Folk Festival which was to begin on 13 August 2011 has been cancelled.

c.    E-On have been the electrical supplier to the Pannier Market since September 2010.  They sought to renew the contract binding by 27 June 2011.  After contacting EDF and British Gas E-On will remain the supplier for another year at 10.69 p per kWh.  This is an increase of just under 2 p per kWh but 2p better than that originally offered.  It did prove to be the most competitive of the three.  The new contract runs from 21 September 2011.

d.    We have been invited to take part in a Retail Health Check.  Ostensibly aimed at Farmers’ Markets it will necessitate a team of three people collecting data.  The objectives for collecting the information are to evaluate how far customers have travelled to the Market by way of gathering customer postcodes.  Further, record the number of people shopping together and assess loyalty to the Market and how much customers visit other markets.  The information will be sent for evaluation with the possibility of a briefing on how best to promote individual stalls.  Volunteers are requested to collect the data.

The business of the Meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the Members for
their attendance and the Meeting concluded at 7.05 pm.

Signature of Town Mayor:……………………………………  Date:……………………...........

Signature of Chairman:………………………………..............  Date:……………………….......