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Minutes of the Market Management Committee Meeting held in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall, Bideford, on Thursday 28 February 2019 at 6.30 pm

PRESENT:

North Ward

Councillor D Bushby
Councillor T Johns

East Ward

Councillor J McKenzie

South Ward

Councillor D Brenton (Chairman)

Market Hall

Ms B de Noronha

Butchers Row

Mr M Dendle

Market Place Vacant

IN ATTENDANCE:      Mr R Coombes (Deputy Town Clerk)
                                Mr B Sidwell (Market Hall Trader)

149.      APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillor Mrs R Craigie (East Ward – illness).

150.      DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

There were no declarations of interest.

151.      PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD

There was no public participation.

152.      MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 17 January 2019 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)

153.      MATTERS ARISING

No matters were raised.

154.      ACCOUNTS

It was proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the list of payments be approved.

(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)

155.      CHAIRMAN’S / MARKET ADMINISTRATORS REPORT

The Chairman advised that in order to finance the Market Development Officer in the first year several items on the agenda could not be funded.

He gave a breakdown of how the Development Officer would be funded from the Budget, in addition to the £12,000 provided by the Council:

• The advertising budget of £2,000 with £3,000 taken from the Special Projects would provide the Officer with £5,000 for advertising, promotions, events, expenses including fuel etc.

• A further amount, in the region of £3,000, would be allocated form the Special Projects budget to pay the salary “employment” cost.

• This would result in a Special Projects budget reduced to £4,000 or less.

He concluded that should the Committee agree to support the Shuttle Bus, by earmarking the monies for the Development Officer other funding will be restricted, especially in the light of the Inner Doors.

156.      HIRE OF PANNIER MARKET HALL – 31 MAY 2020 – PENTECOSTAL SUNDAY SERVICE

Members had seen the report where a request had been made from a Mr Symons wishing to Hire the Pannier Market to celebrate Pentecost Sunday on the evening of 31 May 2020, with access from 3.00 pm

Ms de Noronha questioned whether the Market Hall would need to be fully cleared.

The Market Administrator referenced the set up for Light up a Life.

The Chairman noted that there was plenty of time to establish arrangements.

Proposed by Councillor Brenton, seconded and

RESOLVED: That Mr Symons may celebrate Pentecost Sunday on the evening of 31 May 2020.

(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)

157.      SHUTTLE BUS

The Chairman indicated that he wished to defer the item for it to be considered with the Coach Friendly Status Agenda item 14.c.

Members agreed.

158.      DEFIBRILLATOR

Following discussion Members agreed in principal to obtaining a fully automatic Defibrillator for the Market Hall but to explore other funding opportunities.

Proposed by Councillor Brenton, seconded and

RESOLVED: That alternate funding sources are explored to obtain a fully automatic Defibrillator for the Market Hall.

(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)

159.      WINTER TRADING SCHEDULE

Ms de Noronha stated that she had canvassed the Market Hall traders who had indicated a change in the winter trading schedule from:

• January – March: 9.00 am – 3.00 pm.

to:

• December – February: 9.00 am – 3.00 pm. December would also incorporate later, early evening finishes.

One person though, had indicated a preference for 10.00 am – 4.00 pm trading.

The Chairman invited Ms de Noronha to return to the Market Traders advising them that the Committee were minded to approve the changes. She was to confirm their (majority) desire for the schedule to be amended.

160.      STAIR LIFT

Michael Dendle informed Members that a Mr Leach from Platform Lift, Andover had visited the Market on Thursday 21 February 2019.

He confirmed that a folding platform suitable for wheelchairs and for pedestrians could be fitted; it would be installed on the left-hand side of both flights of stairs, looking up from Market Place road. The installation takes eight weeks and would cost in the region of £15,000 – £20,000.

Lottery Funding would require an additional quotation. Mr Leach will forward a detailed quotation.

The Chairman led the Committee by agreeing in principal to installing the stair lift but indicated that other sources would have to fund the Project.

 161.      MARKET WI-FI

Members had sight of a report detailing hard ware costs and potential provider monthly rental charges.

The Market Administrator advised that the report had been written following a meeting with the TDC Officer responsible for the free Wi-Fi provision in the Town. The Officer advised that at the present cost / provision the Committee should not look to change, it is cost effective with no technical or responsibility concerns.

Ms de Noronha expressed concern at the lack of communication when the facility was lost for a number of days.

The Chairman understood the frustration but empathised with the Provider given his issue with BT Open Reach.

The Market Administrator agreed to make it clear to Reality Creations that where there is an issue it should be communicated.

The Chairman indicated that the provision remains the same for twelve months when the agreement can be reviewed.

Proposed by Councillor Brenton, seconded and

RESOLVED: That Reality Creations remains the provider of free Wi-Fi for the Market.

(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)

162.     DEVELOPMENT WORKING GROUP

a.         The Market Administrator stated that following the agreement of the Council to support regeneration of the Pannier Market, through the employment of a Market Development Officer, a Meeting with the Town Clerk, Chairman of the Market Management Committee, Mr Dendle and the Deputy Town Clerk was held to agree the Job Description and Salary. Details included:

Working Hours: Eighteen and a half hours a week.
Report chain: Deputy Town Clerk.
Salary Scale: Scp 17 (post 1 April 2019).
Contract Length: One year (expectation to be extended).

The Chairman referred to the Meeting adding that a copy of the Job Description would be circulated to Members.

b.          Recruitment / advertising for new traders. The Chairman favoured encouraging young people into trading, through approaches to Bideford College and Kingsley School where stalls could be offered, for free, as an outlet for students having developed a product, business idea / model.

Councillor Bushby reiterated that the idea had proved successful and was highlighted at the Nabma Conference.

Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded and

RESOLVED: That Councillor Bushby formally approaches Bideford College and Kingsley School with a view to providing an opportunity / outlet for students to practically sell the product of a business idea / model in the Market.

(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)

c.          Coach Friendly status. Mr Sidwell advised Members that DCC have installed four coach friendly signs, for free. There has been a delay of twelve months, by TDC, for the car park resurfacing, including “white lines” indicating parking bays and the cutting back of trees.

Discussion followed on the DCC planning enforcement initiative where all advertising banners would have to be removed on account of traffic safety issues.

d.          Mr Sidwell stated that to date just short of 1,900 passengers have been taken to the Market on Saturdays and up to 1,000 on Tuesdays. He conceded though that he did not know how many are spending in the Market.

e.          Funding support for 2019 / 2020. Members had sight of a report detailing a funding proposal and request for £3,250.00 in support from the Committee.

Mr Sidwell proposed that the initiative run for a further year. He noted that the Driver charge had not changed at £30.00 per six-hour day and that he, the Driver, liaised with visiting coach drivers. He confirmed the £1,000 commitment from the Market Tenants / Traders.

Councillor Johns expressed his support for the continuance of the initiative regarding it as a priority. Councillor Bushby questioned the driver insurance cover. Mr Sidwell confirmed that all insurances were in place through Intagr8 who provide the vehicle. There are a number of named drivers including Ms de Noronha.

Proposed by Councillor Johns, seconded and

RESOLVED: That £3,250.00 be provided to support the running of the Trader led Shuttle Bus initiative on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020.

(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)

163.      SOCIAL MEDIA: FACEBOOK / TWITTER

Ms de Noronha indicated an area of research she had recently been directed but requested that the item be deferred to the following meeting.

The Committee agreed.

164.      TRADERS / TENANTS

Miss de Noronha advised:

1.          Inner Doors. The Market Administrator reiterated that the LBC was due to be submitted at the end of the month.

2.          Trader dissatisfaction with the upheaval as a result of the Kenwith Company of Archers twice weekly shoot – major disruption. The Chairman confirmed that the present Agreement was in place until the middle of April 2019. Their concerns can be raised when the Archers request to use the Market Hall from September 2019.

The Market Administrator confirmed that they paid eighty pounds a week for two nights over the six-month season.

3.          Entertainment Budget. The funding is committed to the Development Officer working monies. Ms de Noronha indicated a desire to have bookings in place for Easter.

165.      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)

166.      PART II (CLOSED SESSION)

167.      PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE

The Market Administrator indicated that one person had failed to respond to the request for Insurance Cover details.

The Chairman indicated that further demands should be made.

Councillor Bushby advised that an additional question could simply be, “do you have insurance cover?”

168.      LINTEL REPAIR WORKS – BUTCHER’S ROW

The Chairman spoke about the Lintel works, the need to prioritise projects and reiterated the funding constraints.

Proposed by Councillor Brenton, seconded and

RECOMMENDED: That the Lintel works are funded by the Council from those funds earmarked for the Solar pv project. That the Solar pv project is delayed and revisited in the future, when it is expected that the cost of panels will be reduced.

(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)

Members considered quotations for repair works for Butcher’s Row Unit 9.

Proposed by Councillor Johns, seconded and

RESOLVED: That Robeda be invited to carry out the works in accordance with their quotation.

(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)

169.      L.E.D LIGHTING

Members in principal were supportive of replacing the current lighting in the Market Hall and Butcher’s Row with L.E.D. lights. However, given the capital investment, it was felt not essential to finance at the current time, albeit that they are regarded to be more cost efficient.

Proposed by Councillor Brenton, seconded and

RESOLVED: That L.E.D capital investment be deferred.

(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)

170.      CHAIRMAN’S REPORT – CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS

The Chairman had nothing to report.

171.      UPDATE ON RENT

All rental payments are 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 7.27pm.

Market Management 280219

 

 


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