Minutes of the Market Management Committee held in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall on Tuesday 23 May 2023 at 6.30 pm
PRESENT:
North Ward:
Councillor D Bushby
East Ward:
Councillor Mrs J Gubb
Councillor J McKenzie (Town Mayor)
Councillor Mrs L Hellyer
South Ward
Councillor S Inch
West Ward
Councillor C Hawkins (Chairman)
IN ATTENDANCE:
Mr R Coombes (Deputy Town Clerk)
Councillor P Christie
4 x Tenants
3 X Public
1. TO ELECT A CHAIRMAN
Councillor Hawkins was proposed by Councillor McKenzie and seconded by Councillor Mrs Gubb.
RESOLVED: That Councillor Hawkins is appointed Chairman of the Committee for the coming year.
Vote: For: 6, Against: 0)
2. TO ELECT A DEPUTY CHAIRMAN
Councillor Mrs Gubb was proposed by Councillor McKenzie and seconded by Councillor Hawkins.
RESOLVED: That Councillor Mrs Gubb is appointed Deputy Chairman of the Committee for the coming year.
Vote: For: 6, Against: 0)
3. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
N/A
4. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND ANY REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATION ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
There were no declarations of interest.
5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION OF 15 MINUTES DURATION
There was no public participation.
6. MINUTES
Proposed by Councillor Bushby and seconded by Councillor Mrs Hellyer, the Minutes of the Extra Ordinary General Meeting held on 2 May 2023 were approved and signed as a correct record.
(Vote – For: 6, Against: 0)
7. ACCOUNTS
It was proposed by Councillor Bushby and seconded by Councillor Inch, and
RESOLVED: That the lists of payments for 23 May 2023 be approved.
(Vote – For: 6, Against: 0)
8. CHAIRMAN’S / MARKET ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
The Chairman simply stated that he would give of his best to what is possible to move the Market opportunity forward.
9. MARKET FUTURE
The Clerk advised that the two remaining Market Hall Tenants would be vacating the final units the week commencing 29 May 2023. He noted that the next Meeting of the Market Management Committee will be held on 6 July 2023. He believed it was important to convene Working Groups, that could include “fluid / guest” members and that time was of the essence.
The Chairman indicated that Traders could be brought in; Councillor Bushby agreed, given they were operating at the “coalface.”
Councillor Mrs Hellyer felt that the SWEMS representative be brought in for an update / further discussion. She also reiterated that advertising needed to be addressed; there is an over reliance on social media that is not wholly inclusive. Councillor Bushby concurred adding that events needed targeted and appropriate marketing.
Councillor Mrs Gubb spoke of working with “all agencies,” in the Town, getting the information (hire of Hall / availability / cost) publicised. Opportunities to work with, for instance, the Burton encouraging use of the Hall facility, perhaps for a number of days at a time to allow for a community paint project / session, should be explored. An article / editorial in the local papers explaining what is happening to the Hall, the opportunity to hire the Hall as an Events space and intention to run specialist Markets.
Councillor Bushby was under no illusion that any project must be put together correctly; it must be good quality.
Councillor Mrs Gubb warned against repeating markets that have simply not worked. She added that “the Voice” could be used to advertise, also.
Members considered various functions that the Hall could hold / lend itself.
Councillor Mrs Hellyer in recognising the long term decline felt every effort should be made to “make it work.”
Further discussion included equipment provision to maximum the attractiveness of the Hall to hirers / stakeholders.
10. PART II (CLOSED SESSION)
Proposed by Councillor Mrs Gubb, 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; the tenants were instructed to withdraw.
(Vote – For: 6, Against: 0)
11. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
The Clerk made reference to taking steps to ensure that the Market Officer remained valued as an employee through meaningful, realistic full time work notwithstanding the changes wrought to the Market. He noted that the Officer affirmed his flexibility by agreeing to vary his working day / hours to accommodate work demands e.g. late night cover for 23 June and Sunday commitment on 18 June 2023.
Councillor Mrs Hellyer saw merit in the potential to deploy the Officer to work with the Maintenance Team in the Town Centre especially given the upcoming scheduled Events for the Town.
Councillor Christie spoke of a clean-up initiative in Barnstaple highlighting Council work and wider stakeholder reach.
The Clerk would speak with the Officer and the Maintenance Supervisor with a view to full scheduled primary tasks and secondary support work.
12. TENANT / TRADER
a. Members noted that Notice had been given on Market Place Shop Unit 24.
Applications had been received for Butcher’s Row Unit 20.
Members indicated that the Units must be advertised to provide for a wider and diverse applicant for consideration at the next Meeting.
Discussion followed on advertising generally including flyers detailing the Market Offer.
b. The Clerk indicated that there were no rental concerns.
13. RETURN TO STANDING ORDERS
Proposed by Councillor McKenzie, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the meeting returns to Standing Orders.
(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 7.29 pm.
