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Market Management Committee Meeting Minutes - 28 May 2015


PRESENT:   

South Ward:   

Councillor D Brenton
Councillor B Wootton

North Ward:   

Councillor T Johns

East Ward:   

Councillor Mrs R Craigie

Butcher’s Row:    Mr M Dendle

Market Hall    Mrs J Fisher

IN ATTENDANCE:

Mr R D G Coombes (Market Administrator)
4 x Tenants / Traders
1 x Public

001  ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

Councillor David Brenton was proposed by Councillor Wootton and seconded by Councillor Johns.

RESOLVED: That Councillor David Brenton is appointed as Chairman of the Committee for the coming year.

Vote: For: 4, Against: 0)

(Councillor Brenton assumed the Chair and thanked the Members for their vote.)

002 ELECTION OF A DEPUTY CHAIRMAN

Councillor David Howell was proposed by Councillor Wootton and seconded by Councillor Johns.

RESOLVED: That Councillor David Howell is appointed as Deputy Chairman of the Committee for the coming year.

Vote: For: 4, Against: 0)

003  APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillor D Howell (South (Outer) – Personal).

004  DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

There were no declarations of interest.

005  PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD

There were no participants.

006  MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 16 April 2015 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote – For: 2, Against: 0, Abstention: 2)

007  MATTERS ARISING

Nothing was raised.

008  ACCOUNTS

It was proposed by Councillor Johns, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the list of payments be approved.

(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)

009  ENTRANCE FLOOR MATS

Mr Dendle had made contact with the firm Watco for a sample of non-slip application.  The Market Administrator too had spoken with them but it was apparent that they were reluctant to help believing their product was not entirely suited to the task.

Discussion followed on the merits of non-slip grouting.  The Chairman would make enquiries in Swindon while the Market Officer will be asked to research local suppliers.

010  BANNER ON THE QUAY

Mr Dendle currently holds the Banner, which has suffered from not being sufficiently robust, however, he intends to combine the old and the new and return it to the Quay.

011  BIDEFORD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY - MEMBERSHIP

Members noted that Councillor Howell represented the Council.

Following discussion

It was proposed by Councillor Johns, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That Councillor David Brenton is appointed the Bideford Pannier Market representative to the Bideford Chamber of Commerce.

(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)

012  BIDEFORD TOWN CENTRE PARTNERSHIP – EVENT MANAGER

The Chairman led discussion on the merit of working with Town Partnerships to support an Event Manager role that would benefit both Town and Market.  He believed that the offer of the Market Office from which the position could base itself would be of value.

Councillor Mrs Craigie expressed concern that the Market Officer should be approached given his need to operate from there during his working day.  The Market Administrator indicated it would need to be reorganised prior to any occupancy adding there was no internet facility.  He also indicated that the Town Centre Partnership were active in their pursuit of a Town Centre Coordinator.

It was proposed by Councillor Brenton, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the Chairman would approach the Chamber of Commerce to discuss the role of Event Manager with the offer of office space.

(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)

013  NABMA ANNUAL CONFERENCE: 20 – 22 SEPTEMBER 2015

Members confirmed that a representative should attend.  Mrs Fisher intimated that she should like to attend but would need to confirm her availability.  The Market Administrator stated that he was happy to attend should Mrs Fisher be unavailable.

Proposed by Councillor Brenton, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That Mrs J Fisher (or Mr R Coombes) attend the Conference and that the travelling expenses and subsistence costs be met by the Council. 

(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)

014  MARKET HALL – POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENT

Members had been provided with a report at the start of the Meeting. The Chairman invited Mr Dendle, who compiled “Market Row” A Proposal to develop Bideford Pannier Market, to lead discussion.

Mr Dendle intimated that the Market cannot survive in its present state.  He believed that Butcher’s Row is well presented and working.  He acknowledged that the Market is well promoted and uses Events to attract interest but remains underutilised.  Visitors buy into the promotion but are often left disaffected.  The facility needs developing.

His report suggested building eight permanent 12 x 10 fixed units (£15,000.00), with large windows in the Market Hall.  They would be neither shops nor a form of cheap storage but provide for workshops with retail opportunity.  He cited Trev’s Shed, in Butcher’s Row, as a model example where visitors have watched Trevor’s Midas touch, fashioning and turning wood into desirable objects.  The work attracting the interest as much as the result.

He spoke generally on the Economic Climate, investment in Markets and funding streams including the Arts Council and Leader +.  The report also recommended a working committee to investigate and progress an initiative to improve upon the Market’s current situation.

The Members agreed in principle with the report and the reasoning supporting action. 

Mr Dendle reiterated that the units would not be “lock ups”.  Given that they would be permanent structures Torridge District Council had been approached and Listed Building Consent would need to be addressed.  He stressed that the report was the start of a process.

Following further discussion on finance, Leader + agricultural leanings and introducing an agricultural element it was

SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS

Proposed by Councillor Brenton, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That Standing Orders are suspended in order to allow contributions from the public.

(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)

Janis Glover an artist / printer welcomed the idea believing that there were artists who would actively support the initiative.

Councillor Mrs Craigie stated, from her experience, that there was not a lot of trade, especially in the first quarter (of the year).

Mr Dendle indicated that there was no instant solution, that a sensible business plan should be adopted.

Mr Morgan, Butcher’s Row Tenant, having been on site for a year and establishing a base, had enjoyed lots of trade.  The Social Media was an invaluable tool, however, he added that it was important to have somewhere to trade, a place of work, but also an outlet that the Public could find.

Councillors Mrs Craigie and Brenton spoke about the need to invest citing the Town Council Regeneration budget as a source.  The prima facie project is big, will need monies spent and an agreed plan.

The Chairman noted and led discussion on the suggestion of a Working Party to explore the proposal and report to the Committee. 

Proposed by Councillor Brenton, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That a working party made up of the Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Mrs Fisher and Messrs Dendle and Butler is convened to explore the project of siting eight shop units within the Market Hall and report back to the Market Management Committee.

(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)

RETURN TO STANDING ORDERS

Proposed by Councillor Brenton, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the Meeting return to Standing Orders.

(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)

015  NOTICE OF MOTION

Submission by Councillor Mrs Craigie:

“That this Council takes all necessary steps to ensure that the current bus service, the Pannier Market Hopper, is maintained (i.e. runs for 6 days a week) and that the bus is suitable for the needs of the elderly and disabled.”

Councillor Mrs Craigie expanded upon the Motion, advising:

•    that Devon County Council (DCC) are due to review their support to public transport in July 2015
•    the current contract for the Hopper Service extends to September 2015
•    poor uptake
o    lack of (public) knowledge of the Service
    10.00 am, 12 noon and 2.00 pm
o    advertising of Service
•    no wheel chair access.

Members discussed the possible courses of action although mindful of the timeframe and challenges faced by DCC.

Proposed by Councillor Brenton, seconded

RESOLVED:  That in supporting the Motion:

•    Councillor Mrs Craigie should speak to the Manager of Turners Tours with a view to help in the promotion of the advertising of the Service
•    An approach is made to Torridge Volunteer Cars to establish if they have capacity to support a service to the Market.
•    DCC are requested to promote the (current) Service.
•    Advertise service on Council website (investigate link to carrier’s website - http://www.turnerstours.co.uk/busservices_timetable.asp?id=42).
•    Councillor Mrs Craigie to liaise with Tenant Mr T Hill to produce promotional leaflets / flyers.
•    A budget of £100.00 made available for Mr Dendle to produce Banner for the Quay advertising the Service.

(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)

016  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; the tenants / traders were instructed to withdraw.

(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)

PART II (CLOSED SESSION)

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

The Chairman agreed to arrange a meeting with a tenant concerning trading hours.

018  UPDATE ON RENT ARREARS

The Market Administrator advised Members that there remained three late rental payments.  He indicated that two were uncharacteristic and although he remained in correspondence with the third; letters will be despatched.

The Chairman, having established that there was no further business to discuss, thanked the Members for their attendance and concluded the Meeting at 7.24 pm.









 














 




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