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 Council Chamber, Town Hall, Bideford, on
Thursday 1 December 2011 at 6.40 pm

PRESENT:

North Ward:
Councillor D C Fulford
Councillor Mrs M P Fulford
Councillor Mrs E A Brenton

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

IN ATTENDANCE:

Mrs H J Blackburn (Town Clerk)
Mr R D G Coombes (Market Administrator)
9 x Market Traders/Tenants
3 x Members of the Public

085 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

There were no absentees.

086 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

There were no declarations of interest at this time.

087 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD

There was no public participation regarding items on the Agenda.

088 MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 3 November 2011 were approved and signed as a correct record.
(Vote: – For: 6, Against: 0)

089 MARKET ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Chairman reviewed the earlier meeting and highlighted the importance of the Advisory Committee as a route of communication between Tenants, Traders and Council.  He noted some points from the Tenant’s letter.  He advised that a Notice of Motion would be presented to the Town Council Meeting on 8 December 2011 proposing to provide free parking on 10, 17 and 24 December 2011 in various car parks including Honestone Street.  He reiterated that Torridge District Council was responsible for car parking in Bideford but felt there was merit in exploring an incentive scheme for Market Traders/Tenants.

Councillor Mrs Brenton spoke on the damage that supermarkets had caused to markets generally, the challenge to increase footfall and the difficulties presented by the rural /town bias of the Torridge District Council.
The Chairman reiterated the need for positive ideas.

090 ITEMS BROUGHT FORWARD BY THE CHAIRMAN

Councillor Brenton praised the Chairman of the Advisory Committee for the hard work in putting together the weekend of 26/27 November 2011; he extended the praise to all those tenants, traders and the Market Officer.

091 ‘DRAFT’ BUDGET 2012/2013

The Town Clerk presented the ‘Draft’ Budget for consideration by the Committee.

Proposed by Councillor Brenton, seconded and
RECOMMENDED:  That the Council approves the ‘Draft’ Budget.
(Vote: – For:  6, Against:  0)

092 LETTER FROM TENANT

SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS

Proposed by Councillor Inch, seconded,

RESOLVED: That Standing Orders be suspended in order for the Tenant to be able to contribute to the item.
(Vote: - For: 6, Against: 0)

The Tenant addressed a number of points that he had raised in his letter which had previously been distributed to the Members.

Councillor Mrs Brenton recalled the Meeting at which the Tenant was allocated a Unit with his partner.  She further indicated that discussion on his rent issue should be taken in Part II.

RETURN TO STANDING ORDERS

Proposed by Councillor Inch, seconded,
RESOLVED: That the Meeting return to Standing Orders.
(Vote: - For: 6, Against: 0)

093 MARKET ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

a. Mr Guy Windsor has been invited to complete the work on the Display Sign to be sited in the foot well/Market Place entrance to Butcher’s Row.  He will liaise with the Market Officer and Mr Graham Frisby.

b. The Display Boards will be purchased once the Council has obtained the necessary payment card.

094 ACCOUNTS

Proposed by Councillor Wootton, seconded and
RESOLVED:  That the list of payments be approved.
(Vote – For: 6, Against: 0)

095 CONFIDENTIAL ITEMS TO BE TAKEN IN PART II

Proposed by Councillor Brenton, seconded and
RESOLVED: That in view of the confidential nature of the business about to be discussed, it is advisable, in the public interest, that the public be excluded for the remainder of the meeting; they were instructed to withdraw.
(Vote – For: 6, Against: 0)

PART II (Closed Session)

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

The Market Administrator advised that notice had been served and that Unit 5 had been vacated.

097 PURCHASE OF PANELS – UNIT 5

The Market Administrator advised that as a consequence of Unit 5 being vacated the outgoing Tenant would remove the Ultra White Gloss Panelling he had installed unless the Committee sought to purchase them.  The Market Administrator spoke on the quality and effectiveness of the work that had been carried out.  Following discussion it was:

Proposed by Councillor Mrs Brenton, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the Market Administrator offers the Tenant the Committee’s agreed figure.
(Vote – For: 6, Against: 0)

098 UPDATE ON RENT

Further to the Tenant’s letter at agenda item 8 it was

Proposed by Councillor Mrs Brenton, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the Tenant’s rent remains the same and that he is offered first refusal on the next suitable Unit.
(Vote – For: 6, Against: 0)

The business of the Meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the Members for
their attendance and the Meeting concluded at 7.47 pm.

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

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