Skip to main content

bideford logo

Minutes of the Market Management Committee Meeting held in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall, Bideford, on Thursday 23 May 2019 at 6.30 pm

PRESENT:

North Ward

Councillor D Bushby (substitute for Councillor Mrs L Hellyer)

East Ward

Councillor J Craigie
Councillor J McKenzie

South Ward

Councillor B Wootton


West Ward

Councillor Mrs K Corfe
Councillor J Hawkins

Market Hall Ms B de Noronha

Butchers Row Mr M Dendle

IN ATTENDANCE:

Mr R Coombes (Deputy Town Clerk)
Lesley Cornish (Torridge Artists)

 

1.      ELECT A CHAIRMAN

Councillor J McKenzie was proposed by Councillor D Bushby and seconded by Councillor J Craigie.

RESOLVED: That Councillor McKenzie is appointed Chairman of the Committee for the coming year.

Vote: For: 5, Against: 0)

2.      ELECT A DEPUTY CHAIRMAN

Councillor J Craigie was proposed by Councillor D Bushby and seconded by Councillor B Wootton.

RESOLVED: That Councillor Craigie is appointed Deputy Chairman of the Committee for the coming year.

Vote: For: 5, Against: 0)

3.      APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillor Mrs L Hellyer (East Ward – County Council Meeting).

4.      DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

There were no declarations of interest.

5.      PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD

There were no members of the public present.

 6.     MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 11 April 2019 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote – For: 2, Against: 0, Abstention: 3)

 

 (Councillor Mrs K Corfe joined the Meeting.)

 

7.      ACCOUNTS

Councillor Bushby advised that the RGB items should simply be restricted to Maintenance Items, there was no need for a list / itinerary of purchases.

The Market Administrator addressed the (new) Members regarding the Payments Listed that included services / items purchased and invoices following quotations / resolutions. He also appraised them on the budget and commitments to the inner doors and the incoming Development Officer.

It was proposed by Councillor Wootton, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the list of payments be approved.

(Vote – For: 6, Against: 0)

8.      CHAIRMAN’S / MARKET ADMINISTRATORS REPORT

The Market Administrator advised that there would be a (North Devon) Crematorium Service for Michael Burton at 3.00 pm on Tuesday 28 May 2019.

The Chairman indicated that on confirmation he would attend, with the Market Administrator.

9.      TORRIDGE ARTS AND CRAFTS (AT THE PANNIER MARKET)

The Chairman invited Mrs Lesley Cornish, organiser of the Torridge Arts and Crafts (TAC) non-profit community organisation, to address Chamber.

Mrs Cornish explained that TAC had traded with between fourteen and eighteen members every other month from March to December last year. It had been a success for all concerned: TAC had a trading outlet, the Market was operating to capacity, there was increased footfall that also benefitted the regular Market traders.

A restriction in numbers and increase in the casual rate charge found April this year with a much reduced charitable benefit. Combined with the time and effort to organise the Events Mrs Cornish appealed to the Committee for a proposal that would enable the events to continue for everyone’s, mutual, benefit.

TAC support local charities – Children’s Hospice this last term.

Discussion followed including availability of space, how it is managed, importance of actively encouraging anything that draws interest and flexibility (given the engagement of the Development Officer). Councillor Bushby highlighted that in providing the TAC with favourable terms, all Market stakeholders and the charitable beneficiaries benefit.

Mrs Cornish indicated that she should like to continue trading every two months, the first weekend of the month – although this would not be set in stone.

It was proposed by Councillor Bushby seconded and

RESOLVED: That the Torridge Arts and Crafts Events be allocated eighteen stalls at a cost of one pound (each).

(Vote – For: 6, Against: 0)

10.      POP UP STAIRWELL GALLERY

Members discussed the “pop up” “stairwell gallery” where paintings have been displayed at the side of the stairs leading from Butcher’s Row to the Market Hall.

Mr Dendle confirmed that the stairwell looked more interesting and that the Market Officer had invited a number of the resident artists to take part.

Ms de Noronha wondered if the area could not be shared, for a period, where those that could not commit so much of their art at a given time.

Councillor Wootton felt that it was important that the items were correctly hung and not a danger to visitors / members of the public.

The Chairman led members in supporting the initiative and directed that the Market Administrator work with the Market Officer in addressing the Tenant / Trader opportunity to utilise the area.

11.      NABMA ANNUAL CONFERENCE – REPRESENTATIVE NOMINATION

Councillors McKenzie and Bushby led discussion on the benefits of attendance at the NABMA Annual Conference; this year it will be held in Stratford Upon Avon between 22 and 24 September 2019.

Proposed by Councillor McKenzie, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the opportunity to attend the NABMA Annual Conference is first offered to the Development Officer, otherwise the Chairman shall attend. The travelling expenses and subsistence costs will be met by the Council.

(Vote – For: 6, Against: 0

12.      MARKET REPRESENTATIVES ELECTION

Members noted that the Market Administrator would arrange an election for the non-councillor representation on the Committee.

13.      MARKET OFFICE / DEVELOPMENT OFFICER / EQUIPMENT

Members discussed and agreed that the Market Administrator and Chairman be given delegated powers to obtain office equipment to enhance the Market Office to support the work of the Development Officer.

It was proposed by Councillor Bushby seconded and

RESOLVED: That the Market Administrator and Chairman be given delegated powers to obtain office equipment to enhance the Market Office to support the work of the Development Officer.

(Vote – For: 6, Against: 0)

14.      DEVELOPMENT WORKING GROUP

Mr Dendle declared that there was nothing new to report from the Development Working Group whose members remained Councillor McKenzie, Mr Morgan and Mr Dendle.

He declared that the disability chair lift to be the next project and reiterated that with a quotation of £30,000 (lottery) funding application would be required. He wondered if the Development Officer could run the project that would include evaluating the need (to support funding), completion of a very involved application and obtaining further quotations.

Members indicated that the chair lift remained aspirational, it was not something that could be progressed, at this juncture.

Ms de Noronha asked if the Development Working Group was open to other non-committee members – this was confirmed.

15.      SOCIAL MEDIA: FACEBOOK / TWITTER

Ms de Noronha reiterated that North Devon + could provide a three-hour workshop on Search Engine Optimisation / Social Media at a cost of £225 + VAT.

Ms de Noronha confirmed that seventeen tenants / traders would be very interested in receiving social media training. She would confirm their willingness to make a personal contribution, combined up to the half payment that would equal that which the Committee were prepared to support.

Councillor Hawkins suggested that an emphasis be placed on social media training as Search Engine Optimisation would benefit only those with web sites.

16.      TRADERS / TENANTS

Mr Dendle expressed disappointment that the Council paid free Wi Fi had not been available in Butcher’s Row since last Thursday, 16 May 2019; a tenant had lost a sale and others were unable to update social media. He complained of the lack of professionalism and indeed lack of contact (availability) by the Council’s providers. He also felt that the Market Officer was placed in an invidious position.

The Market Administrator advised that the Wi Fi remained available in the Market Hall and despite the predilection of various tenants to conduct their business / sales using the free Wi Fi it had not been set up for this purpose. Mr Dendle indicated that some tenants would be prepared to pay for a reliable service.

The Market Administrator reminded Members that a report had been compiled that concluded with a recommendation from the TDC Project Officer to remain with Reality Creations at the cost of £30.00 per month, free from technical and administrative issues. He noted it would be difficult to simply have a monthly cost without the associated hardware for a like tariff.

It was agreed that the Chairman and Market Administrator meet with the Wi Fi Providers.

Ms de Noronha has investigated advertising at Robin’s Nest, noting that there remained an advertising hoarding, that had not been paid for, promoting the Market.

17.      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 / traders were instructed to withdraw.

(Vote – For: 6, Against: 0)

18.      PART II (CLOSED SESSION)

19.      CHAIRMAN’S REPORT – CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS

There was nothing to report.

20.      TERMINATIONS OF LEASES /APPLICATIONS RECEIVED FOR TENANCIES OF PREMISES

a.        Members were advised that a further Tenant of Market Hall Studios had given Notice to Quit effective September 2019. The Market Administrator again suggested that the remit could not be widened beyond simply the Art and Crafts. Could single month pop-up leases be encouraged?

b.        There is a Confidential Minute associated with this item.

 

The Chairman, having established that there was no further business to discuss, thanked the Members for their attendance and concluded the Meeting at 8.10 pm.

 

Draft Pannier Market Accounts for approval at the Market Management Committee Meeting on 23 May 2019

 

 Draft MM Accounts 230519

 

 


♦Delivering the information you need about our decision making processes and supporting community participation in local democracy♦

♦ Helping to make the beautiful Town of Bideford a better place to live and work in! ♦


Bideford - A Fairtrade Town


fairtrade & Living Wage employers

Fairtrade is about equitable pricing, good work conditions, sustainability and fair trading for farmers and workers in the developing world. Bideford is a registered Fairtrade Town - Support local and world farmers - look for the fairtrade logo on your shopping items.

Visit the site...

facebook twitter instagram

Coach friendly

 

© Bideford Town Council 2015 Gingerweb Ltd site design and SEO In North Devon