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Minutes of the Market Management Committee Meeting held in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall, Bideford, on Thursday 18 January 2018 at 6.30 pm

PRESENT:

North Ward

Councillor T Johns

East Ward

Councillor Mrs R Craigie
Councillor J McKenzie

South Ward

Councillor D Brenton (Chairman)
Councillor B Wootton

Market Hall

Mrs J Fisher
Ms M Sparkes

Butchers Row

Mr N Morgan

Market Street

Mr A Bailey

IN ATTENDANCE:

Mr R Coombes (Deputy Town Clerk)
2 x Market Trader

111.     APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillors D McGeough (North Ward – personal).

112.     DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

There were no declarations of interest.

113.     PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD

Mr Brian Sidwell requested that funding for the Shuttle Bus be placed on the Agenda for the Meeting to be held on 1 March 2018.

He confirmed that the Bideford application for Coach Friendly Status had been submitted; the stakeholders were hopeful that it would be effective from April 2018. To support the initiative an additional Shuttle Bus day had been requested; the driver and insurance are in place, it has yet to be confirmed whether it will operate on a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday.

114.     MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 7 December 2017 were approved and signed as a correct record.

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

115.     MATTERS ARISING

No matters were raised.

116.     ACCOUNTS

The Market Administrator brought the Members attention to the St John Ambulance payment that would see Mrs Fisher attend the 12 February 2018 course, Fire Marshall requalification.

He reminded Members that a payment of £10 an hour had been agreed at the 26 February 2015 Meeting. In supporting the continuance Members extended the subsistence to Mr Sidwell.

It was proposed by Councillor Wootton, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the list of payments be approved.

(Vote – For: 5, Against: 0)

117.     CHAIRMAN’S / MARKET ADMINISTRATORS REPORT

The Market Administrator advised of dry / wet rot that had been identified in Butchers Row between Shop Units 9 and 10. Mr Adrian Redwood, Property Manager, TDC had inspected the area and had agreed to further inspection with a view to establishing a plan of action.

The Chairman confirmed that he would be meeting the Conservation Officer, TDC on Wednesday and would view the area.

118.     PANNIER MARKET DRAIN

Members had sight of correspondence from the Environment Officer (which had also been sent to the two catering tenants) advising that SWW investigations around Market Place had found the drain that solely serves the Pannier Market was completely choked with fat deposits.

South West Water has cleansed the drain downstream.

The Market Administrator engaged ASAP Plumbing and Drainage who had taken the appropriate steps to clear the foul / water drains leading from the Pannier Market. It was apparent that it was an accumulation of waste over an extended period of time – Mrs Fisher confirmed that the operation was last carried out in excess of fifteen years ago.

Mrs Fisher advised that grease traps can be installed. She confirmed that she did not pour away oil / fat.

The Market Administrator confirmed that ASAP Plumbing were content that an annual jet through would manage any accumulation.

The Chairman advised that the inspection by SWW had been as a result of the sink hole in Grenville Street. He felt strongly that DCC should provide compensation to those Market Traders / Tenants who had been adversely affected by the road closure. He intimated that advice should be sought from the TDC solicitor. DCC had been guilty of procrastination, their response had, he maintained, been poor.

Whilst investigating the possibility of a compensation claim Councillor Wootton indicated that the accounts of the Tenants / Traders would have to bear scrutiny.

Councillor McKenzie indicated that whilst Grenville Street was closed to vehicular traffic, there was still pedestrian access. He also confirmed that access to vehicles was still possible.

Members confirmed that DCC compensation was still worthy of investigation.

119.     DEVELOPMENT PLAN WORKING GROUP

Discussion centred on the resolution to provide an exhibition area and managing the floor space transition.

Ms Sparkes reiterated that the traders welcomed anything that improves the Market. She alluded to concerns raised by the Tenants of Market Shop Units 7 and 8 concerned at the impact upon their respective businesses. She also raised the spectre of stall movement when accommodating the Kenwith Archers.

Mr Morgan indicated that it was important to have the space earmarked prior to unsettling the traders unnecessarily.

Members agreed on the principle to affect change albeit step by step in order to improve the footfall / customer experience; specialist markets to run side by side with the traditional market would broaden the appeal. Mr Bailey advocated advertising the specialist days modelling / fishing; he advocated a dedicated Events Person.

It was felt that a programme should be in place first.

120.     COMMITTEE TRADERS / TENANTS

Mr Morgan advised that Butchers Row Tenant Trevor Hill, who holds a PRS Licence, had played music that could be heard within the thoroughfare, running up to the Festive Period. He had subsequently conducted a survey of the Tenants, 99% of whom supported him in requesting that the PRS / PPL Licences for the Market Hall be extended (to Butchers Row). The one voice not in support expressed ambivalence declaring that they would not be against the initiative should it come to pass.

The Market Administrator will investigate the costs for the next Meeting to be held on 1 March 2018.

Ms Sparkes did not believe that it was worth opening the Market Hall during the Christmas New Year period; traders / tenants and visitors were thin on the ground.

The Chairman noted her concerns but indicated that any decision / re-evaluation would be made later in the year.

Ms Sparkes raised the issue of the trader who has steadfastly refused to sign the Conditions for Market Stall Holders, despite the recent amendment.

The Chairman indicated that he would address the issue.

121.     MARKET HALL INNER DOORS

The Chairman has arranged to meet with the Conservation Officer on Wednesday, 17 January 2018. She had indicated that by simply altering the doors in situ listed buildings consent would be avoided.

Mrs Fisher stated that the doors leading to Butchers Row were heavy and opened towards anyone entering from the thoroughfare, far from ideal.

The Chairman intimated that there could be a possibility of electrical assisted opening.

122.     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: 5, Against: 0)

123.     PART II (CLOSED SESSION)

124.     CHAIRMAN’S REPORT – CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS

a. The Chairman confirmed that he would speak to the Market Trader who had not signed Conditions for the Market Stall Traders.
Members indicated that the authority of Committee should not be undermined.
b. The Chairman confirmed that he would also speak to Butchers Row tenants on an unrelated issue.

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

Members were advised that after 22 years in Butchers Row Trevor Lane had given Notice to quit Shop Unit 21, on retirement effective 31 March 2018; they had sight of three applications for the Unit. The Chairman indicated that a decision would not be made until the extent of the dry / wet rot had been established; the Unit could well be utilised as temporary / pop up solution for tenants where work is required on their Units.

22 Market Street is now vacant. It was heavily advertised on social media, including the Council’s page and website. Only one applicant.

Proposed by Councillor McKenzie, seconded and

RESOLVED: That Mr Haydn Evans-Dixon is offered the Tenancy.

(Vote – For: 5, Against: 0)

126.     UPDATE ON RENT

There was nothing to report.

The Chairman, having established that there was no further business to discuss, thanked the Members for their attendance and concluded the Meeting at 7.17 pm.


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