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Minutes of the Extra Ordinary Market Management Committee Meeting held via Zoom, on Thursday 23 July 2020 at 6.30 pm

PRESENT:

East Ward

Councillor Mrs L Hellyer
Councillor J McKenzie (Chairman)

South Ward

Councillor Wootton

West Ward

Councillor Mrs K Corfe
Councillor C J Hawkins

Market Hall   Mrs G Morgan

Butchers Row   Miss K la Fontaine.

IN ATTENDANCE:

Mr R Coombes (Deputy Town Clerk)

148.      APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Mr B Sidwell, Market Hall.

149.      DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

There were no Declaration of Interest proffered.

150.      PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD

There were no members of the public in attendance.

151.      MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 19 Mary 2020 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0, Abstention: 1)

152.      ACCOUNTS

It was proposed by Councillor McKenzie, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the lists of payments for 30 June and 23 July 2020 be approved.

(Vote – For: 5, Against: 0)

153.      CHAIRMAN’S / MARKET ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

The Clerk confirmed that the solar panels had been installed between 15 – 17 July 2020 and that they would be finally tested, commissioned and handed over on Friday, 24 July 2020.

The Chairman confirmed that the Community Fridge Project had been abandoned, in the light of COVID-19, and that the Fridge had been relocated to the Bideford Foodbank.

Discussions followed on the size of the solar array and the potential for increased capacity.

(Councillor Mrs Hellyer joined the Meeting.)

154.      BUTCHER’S ROW TENANT EVENING WORK REQUEST

Members had previously seen the request.

The Clerk spoke in terms of the security of the Butcher’s Row thoroughfare and the Market Hall, not least to the cleanliness of the toilets whilst under COVID-19 restrictions.

Miss la Fontaine believed that it was a great idea adding that the thoroughfare is open on Sundays and Mondays (when staff are not in attendance). She intimated that she would be prepared to be open observing that the new hairdresser would be willing to explore the opportunity to work evenings.

Mrs Morgan advised that the Tenants put away their items at cease of play so believed the Security (to stock) would be minimal. She questioned whether the outside TDC public toilets could not be used (it was observed that they close at 6.00 pm). She noted that the early evening should not see anti-social behaviour that might have been a concern at a later time. It would be useful to gauge concerns from the (Market Hall) Tenants.

Councillor Wootton suggested that the Tenant could monitor and adapt / amend his working practises accordingly.

Councillor Mrs Hellyer agreed with the good idea believing that it could encourage more traders.

The Chairman recounted the support from Nabma for twilight markets, with other tenants on board it could open up the Market as an attraction.

The Clerk was unaware that Tenants were trading in Butcher’s Row on Sundays. He expressed concern at the tenant being the sole business operating, mindful of the vulnerability of the other Units and providing access to the Market Hall toilet facilities. He believed with the COVID-19 restrictions in place, hygiene in the toilet facilities had been stepped up by the Market Officer in accordance with the risk assessment; now was not the time. Other tenants, he believed, should be sounded out to offer a wider opportunity. Referencing the former Development Officer, pop up events would need to be the future, to evolve the Market as an attractive, go to destination.

Councillor Mrs Hellyer reminded members that the Tenant would not be working alone and that he would be serving up to 8.00 pm – not midnight.

Councillor Mrs Corfe, in support, suggested that a month’s trial would “get the ball rolling;” she agreed that up to 8.00 pm was not the same as 10.00 – 11.00 pm. It would provide an opportunity to take advantage of the brighter evenings.

Members, led by Councillor Mrs Corfe, discussed trial periods, dates of evening operation, councillor support on those evenings and discussion with the Tenant.

The Chairman stated that the Evening operation would be regarded as outside the expectation of core hours i.e. not to be included in the 30 hours weekly commitment.

The Clerk advised that a Risk Assessment and Method Statement would need to be provided for his operation in relation to the evening operation in the context of responsibility for the security of Butcher’s Row and the Market Hall during and on vacation of the Complex.

It was proposed by Councillor Mrs Corfe, seconded and

RESOLVED: That Mr Herron, trading as Gary Masala from Butcher’s Row Shop Unit 21, is granted a two-month trial period to operate two (notified) evenings a week, until 8.00 pm. A risk assessment and method statement providing for the security of the Butcher’s Row and the Market during his operation and vacation of the Complex is to be provided prior to commencement. In accordance with his statement to observe all current COVID-19 guidelines, to monitor and clean the toilet facilities accordingly.

(Vote – For: 6, Against: 0)

155.     PENTECOSTAL SUNDAY SERVICE 23 MAY 2021 – HIRE OF HALL

Councillor Mrs Hellyer reminded Members that they had previously resolved and agreed upon a request to celebrate Pentecost Sunday with a service to be held on 31 May 2020 but for it to be cancelled under the COVID-19 restrictions.

(Councillor Mrs Corfe left the Zoom (connection) Meeting.)

Proposed by Councillor McKenzie, seconded and

RESOLVED: That Mr Symons may celebrate Pentecost Sunday on 23 May 2021.

(Vote – For: 5, Against: 0)

(Councillor Mrs Corfe reconnected to the Zoom Meeting.)

156.      COVID-19 RESTRICITIONS

The Clerk highlighted the Face Covering restrictions being introduced effective 24 July 2020.

He advised that the COVID-19 Risk Assessment has been updated and all Market Tenants had been advised by E Mail.

Mrs Morgan confirmed that the Market Hall Tenants were happy with the COVID-19 provisions to date but requested that Notices advising visitors to the Complex of the need to wear face coverings be promulgated. (The Clerk confirmed this would be done.)

Miss la Fontaine requested that the cones in the centre of Butcher’s Row be removed. She believed that they were a hinderance to free movement through the thoroughfare.

The Chairman directed that the tape linking the cones is removed and that every other cone is (removed) also.

157.      REPORTS FROM COMMITTEE TRADERS / TENANTS

Mrs Morgan reiterated that everything is working ok; strangely sales have been better than expected.

She believed that the Torridge Arts Craft Event to be held on 25 July 2020 would be a good test of the hygiene / social distancing safety measures.

She repeated the request for face covering notices.

There had been questions raised regarding the Community Fridge. The Chairman confirmed that it had been relocated to the Food Bank; the initiative was not helped by the advent of COVID-19.

Miss la Fontaine indicated that the majority of Butcher’s Row tenants questioned the relationship between themselves and the Council. She believed that the manner in which the Market was managed impacted upon the business of the individual tenants.

The Chairman stated that the Tenants were provided with the space to operate; it was not for the Council to manage their respective businesses.

Miss la Fontaine announced her resignation from the Committee.

158.     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: 6, Against: 0)

159.      PART II (CLOSED SESSION)

THERE IS A SEPARATE CONFIDENTIAL SET OF MINUTES FOR THE CLOSED SESSION (160 – 163).

164.     RETURN TO STANDING ORDERS

Proposed by Councillor McKenzie, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the meeting returns to Standing Orders.

(Vote For: 6, Against: 0)

The Chairman, having established that there was no further business to discuss, thanked the Members for their attendance and concluded the Meeting at 7.45 pm.


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