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Minutes of the Market Management Committee held in the Town Hall on Thursday 8 July 2021 at 6.35 pm

PRESENT:

North Ward:

Councillor J Herron

East Ward:

Councillor J McKenzie (Chairman) 

West Ward:

Councillor C Hawkins

Market Tenants:

Ms M Hurford
Mrs G Morgan

IN ATTENDANCE:

Mr R Coombes (Deputy Town Clerk)
Mr C Farris (Development Officer)

17.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillors D Bushby, (North Ward – personal), Mrs L Hellyer (East Ward – personal) and D Ratcliff, Mayor, (West Ward – sick).

18.    DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND ANY REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATION ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

There were no declarations of interest.

19.    PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION OF 15 MINUTES DURATION

There were no public members present.

20.    MINUTES

Proposed by Councillor Hawkins and seconded by Councillor Herron, the Minutes of the Meeting held on 27 May 2021 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote – For: 3, Against: 0)

21.    ACCOUNTS

It was proposed by Councillor Hawkins and seconded by Councillor Herron, and

RESOLVED: That the lists of payments for 8 July 2021 be approved.

(Vote – For: 3, Against: 0)

22.    CHAIRMAN’S / MARKET ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

There was no report.

23.    DEVELOPMENT OFFICER.

a.      Update. The Development Officer gave sight to Members a copy of the Gazette with centre page “copy / editorial,” on the Market offer and potential; the piece is also on their online link. He explained that the local journalist was supportive and happy to continue working with the Market. He gave detail to a further potential offer of a six monthly advertising / copy opportunity involving tenant commitment.

He described discussions with agencies to provide for potential cinema screening evenings, live music and areas where “in house” tenants can be involved. Events are quite challenging given the restrictions and licensing requirement, but it is looking likely that there is opportunity for the end of the summer.

The Development Officer circulated a leaflet that he had produced for local distribution including hotels and campsites; he asked members for any feedback at the earliest opportunity.

He spoke of a service provided by Torridge Ring and Ride who cover a large area and could include the Market as a dropping point, filling an opportunity left following the demise of the trader run minibus. (There is a five pound cost.)

The Development Officer spoke of a meeting which could lead to a collaboration between the Market Stakeholders and the “Items for sale in Bideford,” group which has a Facebook “reach,” in excess of 30,000, during the coming weeks. The initiative would see the setting up of a Bideford Pannier Market Group showcasing the products and services on offer. The reach for individual tenants has the potential of thousands; the onus would be on them to promote themselves.

He spoke of a further possible collaboration with a local farm, who are not unknown to the Market, with the potential for vegetable boxes to be offered through the Hall. There is a similar operation at Tiverton Market where four people are engaged in creating and selling the boxed produce.

There had been a change to the Facebook page, that he had originally created because of “group / link,” issues; it was simply more straightforward to start a new page. It had provided for the potential of 10,000 “likes.” Linked to Instagram it had also given 250 “likes,” which was positive. Google had also seen 18,000 searches in the last month with many good reviews; given the Council’s ownership of the Google presence there is now an option to write back perhaps to explain any poor feedback.

b.    Welcome Back Fund.

The Development Officer explained that there were a whole host of challenges, regulations and criteria to be satisfied. He had produced a tender document that would provide for an individual / organisation to run a professional event in association with the Council; the budget will deliver three events:

1.   General Welcome Back, scheduled for 25 August 2021.

2.   Meet the makers: workshops to be run (with in house, who would be paid), 26 September 2021.

3.   Christmas Food and Drinks including entertainment, Sunday, 28 November 2021.

He spoke of the general fund that offers opportunities for the “beautification” of the Town, Welcoming Back, post COVID-19. Further “planters,” are being sourced, planting, wardens on the ground to help visitors; the Council have engaged a seasonal worker through the package.

24.  DEFIBRILLATOR

Mrs Morgan spoke about the need for a Defibrillator at the Complex, it’s accessibility and provided information on a range.

Discussion followed where Members indicated full support, noting those fully automated did not require any training to use, one simply follows the instructions. Mounting on the exterior of the building would be preferable (cases can be alarmed).

Once an appropriate Defibrillator / Case had been identified, the Chairman, supported by Councillor Hawkins (both Torridge District Councillors) pledged to fund the items using their TDC individual grant (intimating that they would seek similar commitment from other fellow District Councillors).

25.  TENANT / TRADER REPORT

Ms Hurford explained a casual late night initiative supported by the majority of Butcher’s Row tenants. Thursday, 5 August had been earmarked as a collaborative day where tenants would simply extend their normal working day to finish no later than 8.00 pm. She noted that the Tenants would be responsible for securing the thoroughfare in the normal fashion.

The idea is to connect with local people and holiday makers who otherwise would miss the opportunity to visit the Row during a normal working / beach activity day. She hoped to involve the local Gin distiller, Atlantic Spirit. It was established that they would need to obtain a Temporary Events Notice from TDC; further an appropriate siting established. Music provision was also being investigated. Should the initiative provide successful it was hoped that it could be repeated, perhaps on a weekly / monthly basis.

The Chairman would establish how the outside space (southern entrance) could be used. The Development Officer felt the evening economy could provide for autumn / winter late night food opportunities. Further suggestions included the possibility for evening markets.

Discussion followed on the ten years old market social media page, the ownership, administration thereof and various permissions.

Mrs Morgan advised that there had been some new traders in the Hall but there remained a reluctance to commit in the face of visitor confidence.

26.  CONFIDENTIAL ITEMS TO BE TAKEN IN PART II

Proposed by Councillor McKenzie, 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: 3, Against: 0)

27.  CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

There is a confidential minute associated with this item.

28.  TENANT / TRADER

There is a confidential minute associated with this item.

29.  RETURN TO STANDING ORDERS

Proposed by Councillor McKenzie, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the meeting returns to Standing Orders.

(Vote For: 2, Against: 0)

The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 8.20 pm.

 

A table of accounts for the Pannier Market as at 8 July 2021


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