Minutes of the Market Management Committee Meeting
Minutes of the Market Management Committee Meeting held in the Mayor’s Parlour, Town Hall, Bideford, on Thursday 7 April 2011 at 6.00 pm
PRESENT:
North Ward:
Councillor Ms E L Farrington
Councillor D C Fulford
South Ward:
Councillor A T Inch (Chairman)
Councillor D M Ratcliff (Substitute for T J Johns)
IN ATTENDANCE:
Mr G B McLauchlan (Town Clerk)
Mr R D G Coombes (Market Administrator)
2 x Market Tenants
7 x Members of the Public
141 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Councillors Mrs C B Church (East Ward – Personal) and T J Johns (North Ward – Bridge Trust Meeting).
142 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
There were no declarations of interest.
143 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD
A tenant welcomed the presence of Rosie Burns and championed the opportunity to promote the Pannier Market through the delivery of a cohesive, structured and well defined Arts and Crafts Market initiative.
A member of the public expressed concern regarding action taken in the response to ideas he had put forward. Councillor Ms Farrington while highlighting limited resources did indicate that there was a process to be followed but conceded that there was merit in some suggestions put forward by the individual. Emphasis was also placed on attracting new traders to the Market. A further public member supported Councillor Fulford’s initiative of visiting other markets encouraging traders to consider trading at the Bideford Pannier Market with full details, including costs.
144 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 3 March 2011 were approved and signed as a correct record.
(Vote: – For: 3, Against: 0, Abstention: 1)
145 STEERING GROUP
No report available.
146 MARKET HALL REFURBISHMENT
Mr Dave Scott spoke on his confidence that the refurbishment programme was going to plan and provided that while the workforce remained in place the painting work will be completed in time for Easter. He spoke regarding his present team of workers, sourced from Torridge Training Services (TTS), praising their effort and commitment. Work will soon commence on the final half bay, specific side walls and pillars. He intimated that the stairs will not take long to do, the lower ones should be addressed first, the gates secured and a plastic cover used to minimise the spread of dust. Finally, he advised that Butcher’s Row should not be tackled until the Winter period.
Councillor Ms Farrington suggested that Butcher’s Row could be steam cleaned over a weekend although Mr Scott advised against this.
Both Councillor Ratcliff and the Chairman thanked Mr Scott and complemented him and his team for their collective endeavour.
147 PROMOTION OF THE PANNIER MARKET
Councillor Ms Farrington reiterated the need to promote the Market, its availability for hire and the need to encourage North Devon+ to consider the venue for hosting (their) events.
148 ARTS, CRAFTS AND COLLECTABLES MARKETS
Mrs Rosie Burns gave a lengthy address to the Committee on her present circumstances, the key factors that needed to be in place such as funding, fees, budgets and availability in order to conduct an Arts and Crafts Market. While unable to coordinate, providing she was salaried, she was willing, under the umbrella of Bideford Bay Creatives, to investigate involving the Pannier Market on the Cultural Olympiad Literary Trail in August 2012.
Councillor Ms Farrington spoke on the opportunity for an Arts and Crafts sponsor to hire the Hall and reiterated the limitations of the Council’s resources.
Councillor Ratcliff spoke with reference to the ASDA 106 Committee and a potential funding source in support of an attractive tourist event.
The Chairman thanked Rosie Burns for her time.
149 REAL ALE FESTIVAL
Councillor Ms Farrington provided the Committee with a check list of criteria under which the Festival would be run. She expanded various points including details of the License which had been applied for under her own name. Access on the Friday public holiday prior to the Saturday event would be necessary given the need to set up the ale and stillages. Further, the intention is to site the bar on the back wall adjacent to the toilets/caretaker’s storeroom. Councillor Fulford questioned advertising initiatives; Councillor Ms Farrington intimated that it would be solely addressed through the Council and will be through local publications. The Town Clerk stated that all invoices must be made out to the Town Council with full VAT registration details.
Proposed by Councillor Ms Farrington, seconded and
RESOLVED: That a working capital of up £1,000.00 is made available to Councillor Ms Farrington and the Town Clerk in order for the Real Ale Festival to proceed as promoted. The Event will be held on Saturday 30 April 2011 from 4.00 pm to 11.00 pm and Sunday 1 May 2011 from Noon to 11.00 pm.
(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)
150 ALTERNATE MARKET MANAGEMENT DATE
After brief discussion it was agreed not to alter the date of the next meeting of the Committee.
151 ACCOUNTS
Proposed by Councillor Ratcliff, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the list of payments be approved.
(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)
152 MARKET ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
a. The CCTV has now been successfully installed
b. The Market Officer was called out in the early hours of 20 March 2011 and helped the local police later in the day after an act of vandalism had damaged an outside door. An offender, a young person under eighteen years old has received a six month Referral Order (where the individual pleads guilty and are convicted for the first time).
153 CONFIDENTIAL ITEMS TO BE TAKEN IN PART II
Proposed by Councillor Inch, 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: 4, Against: 0)
PART II (Closed Session)
154 TERMINATIONS OF LEASES BY TENANTS/APPLICATIONS RECEIVED FOR TENANCIES OF PREMISES
The tenants occupying Butcher’s Row units 2 and 6 have given their three months notice to quit. Three applications were made, two by current traders in the Pannier Market. The Chairman advised that a decision would not be made until the next meeting of the Committee on 5 May 2011 to allow for advertising.
155 UPDATE ON RENT ARREARS
The tenant in receipt of the letter referring to late Standing Order Payments could not act in time to affect the rent for February 2011. However, in conversation the inference was that he had not effected a change for the month of March 2011.
A further tenant did not pay the rent for March 2011 until 2 April 2011. Their history of payment throughout 2010/2011 was largely in date or short by the odd day or two.
Proposed by Councillor Inch, seconded and
RESOLVED: That a final letter be addressed to the tenant whose standing order payments remain outside the stated criteria, advising that without immediate corrective action they will be instructed to vacate their occupied units.
(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)
The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for
their attendance and the meeting concluded at 8.00 pm.
Signature of Town Mayor:…………………………………… Date:……………………...........
Signature of Chairman:……………………………….............. Date:……………………….......
