Market Management Committee Meeting - 12 January 2017
Market Management Committee Meeting Minutes - 12 January 2017
PRESENT:
North Ward:
Councillor T Johns
East Ward:
Councillor Mrs R Craigie
Councillor J McKenzie
South Ward:
Councillor D Brenton (Chairman)
Councillor B Wootton
South (Outer)Ward:
Councillor D Howell (Mayor)
Butcher’s Row
Mr N Morgan
Market Hall
Mrs J Fisher
Mr J Monk
IN ATTENDANCE:
Mr R Coombes (Deputy Town Clerk)
Prior to the start of the Meeting the Deputy Town Clerk confirmed that everyone had appended their details on the Fire Register.
117 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
N/A.
118 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
There were no declarations of interest.
119 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD
N/A.
120 MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 8 December 2016 were approved and signed as a correct record.
(Vote – For: 6, Against: 0)
121 MATTERS ARISING
There were no Matters raised.
122 ACCOUNTS
It was proposed by Councillor McKenzie, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the list of payments be approved.
(Vote – For: 6, Against: 0)
123 MARKET ADMINISTRATORS REPORT
No item was raised.
124 ADVERTISING WORKING GROUP UPDATE
Mr Monk confirmed continuance of the present advertising campaign through My Town, Gazette and the Link; he would provide a plan for the new financial year at the Meeting to be held on 23 February 2017.
Mr Monk detailed his efforts to make headway in realising an overhead banner at the top of the High Street.
Members discussed the (challenging) process of County policy, TDC involvement, time periods and the need for assurances (of success) in the face of spending public monies.
Councillor Howell, relating to the Banners erected by SWH on behalf of the Council during the Summer months, referred Mr Monk to a Mr Shane Bailey. The Chairman thanked Mr Monk for his efforts and urged him to continue in his endeavours.
125 PANNIER MARKET LEAFLET
Councillor Mrs Craigie indicated her preference for the continuance of the present leaflet. Mr Monk intimated that there were mistakes in the leaflet. Councillor Howell noted that a picture of fruit and vegetables was misleading.
Councillor Brenton indicated that at the time of publication Marshford Organics were trading from the Market. He called for a “brainstorm”, “re-think” on the promotion of the Market, away from the leaflet format. He spoke of the Atlantic Village development; the draw of Starbucks, McDonalds, Lidl and Aldi. A new philosophy was needed to encourage people into the Town, into the Market.
Mr Monk alluded to the need for accurate, up to date information for those scouring the internet.
Councillor Howell agreed with the need for keeping on top of Face Book / social media noting its growth (in popularity).
The Chairman saw merit in concentrating more on the social media / website forums with less emphasis on the leaflet format.
Mrs Fisher felt that the leaflet should not be abandoned noting that a demand existed from senior personnel.
Members agreed to exhaust the current supply. The Market Administrator is to provide a report from Publicity South West and Take One Media for the next Meeting.
Councillor Johns asked who manages (Pannier Market related) Facebook. Jack Monk advised that a few traders / tenants “administer”.
The Chairman reiterated the need for imaginative ideas (for promotion).
Discussion followed on the challenges that Bideford (Town) faces including the benefits of Trip Advisor.
The Chairman instructed that the item should be returned to at the next Meeting.
Councillor Howell spoke of the importance of “the coach driver” he also encouraged the use of “You tube” to show (twenty second) videos as a means of publicising the Market.
126 COMMITTEE TRADERS / TENANTS
a. Mrs Fisher advised that the Market Traders had convened a meeting on the Tuesday, 10 January 2017, after trading. Following the Notice of Motion presented at the previous Market Meeting regarding the format of the Market Hall they saw merit in exploring a change to the floorplan which they would address following the present Kenwith Company of Archers’s season.
b. An error in the newly published Town Guide was highlighted. Councillor Howell suggested that for 2019/20 the Market Traders are invited to contribute and take responsibility for the Market entry.
c. Heating and the progression of an internal door enquiry. The Chairman confirmed he would liaise with a local Window firm. Mr Monk did not believe that the heating cost £80.00 per hour – the Market Administrator agreed.
d. Mr Monk questioned why the Studio Tenants did not enjoy the same rent free January 2017 as the Market Hall Traders. The Market Administrator advised that the Market Management Committee had arrived upon the resolution having been informed of the cost of extending the initiative to further include the Tenants of the Market Hall / Butchers Row and Market Street.
e. Mr Monk, formerly an electrical engineer, following the demand for payment of electricity used during the month of December 2016, questioned the rate. Discussion followed where the Chairman confirmed that the rate will be reviewed having taken the lead from Barnstaple Market at the time; Councillor Howell believed that the rate should have been considered when the trading days had been increased.
Mr Monk indicated that he had not signed the recent updated conditions because of the electricity price. The Market Administrator advised that three other traders had not signed; he would contact them.
127 MARKET TENANT / TRADER / COMMITTEE OPEN MEETING
Members agreed upon Tuesday, 7 February 2017 after trading for the convening of an Open Meeting. The Market representatives will invite questions from the Traders / Tenants to be passed to the Market Administrator by 31 January 2017.
128 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: 6, Against: 0)
129 PART II (CLOSED SESSION)
130 TERMINATIONS OF LEASES BY TENANTS/APPLICATIONS RECEIVED FOR TENANCIES OF PREMISES
Members considered eight applications for Market Street Shop 25 and Market Hall Studio Unit 8.
Proposed by Councillor Brenton, seconded and
RESOLVED: That Mr A Bailey and Mrs K Ward are offered Market Street Shop 25 and Market Hall Studio Unit 8, respectively.
(Vote – For: 6, Against: 0)
131 UPDATE ON RENT ARREARS
The Market Administrator confirmed that the rental payments were up to date.
The Chairman, having established that there was no further business to discuss, thanked the Members for their attendance and concluded the Meeting at 7.35 pm.