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Minutes of the Market Management Committee Meeting held in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall, Bideford, on Thursday 11 April 2019 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 Ms B de Noronha

Butchers Row Mr M Dendle

IN ATTENDANCE:

Mr R Coombes (Deputy Town Clerk)

172.      APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillor D Bushby (North Ward – Mayoral commitment).

173.      DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

There were no declarations of interest.

174.      PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD

There were no members of the public present.

175.      MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 28 February 2019 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote – For: 5, Against: 0)

176.     MATTERS ARISING

No matters were raised.

177.      ACCOUNTS

It was proposed by Councillor McKenzie, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the list of payments be approved.

(Vote – For: 5, Against: 0)

178.     CHAIRMAN’S / MARKET ADMINISTRATORS REPORT

The Market Administrator had circulated the advertisement, Job Description and Person Specification for the Pannier Market Development Officer.

He invited Members to consider the make up of the interviewing panel.

Members led by the Chairman agreed that the Chairman and Mayor, in post at the time of the interview process, and the Market Administrator should conduct the interviews.

The Chairman also suggested that as part of the process the candidates should be invited to the Pannier Market for an informal meet and greet including tea and biscuits; the Members concurred.

The Chairman also felt that the advertisement should be posted at the earliest opportunity.

179.      KENWITH COMPANY OF ARCHERS

The Kenwith Company of Archers have requested that they resume their use of the Hall from mid-September 2019 to April 2020 under the present two evening sessions a week, at £40.00 per session.

Ms de Noronha read a letter from the Market Traders who were not in favour of the Kenwith Company of Archers continuing (with a twice weekly residency). It was deemed unacceptable; the movement of stalls caused stress and cost, items have been damaged in transit. She intimated that traders will be leaving the Hall and that a further will leave, as a consequence. She believed that would not be expected to pack up and move their items, whilst trading at Bideford; this was an attraction for her (and others). She conceded that she had not traded for long at the Market but believed that the Archers had used the Hall once a week for many years – she suggested that they return to once a week.

The Chairman indicated that the Archers once a week session had been only for a relatively short term; the Market Administrator indicated that they had also enjoyed a period of shooting three nights a week.

Councillor Mrs Craigie reminded Members that it was foremost a Market Hall for traders; she feared an exodus.

Councillor Mrs Craigie proposed that the Archers are only invited to use the Hall one evening per week; Councillor Wootton seconded the proposal.

Councillor Johns noted that the Archers had been loyal to the Market and have used the facility for many years; he feared for the loss of revenue.

Councillor Johns made a counter proposal that the Archers are invited to continue to hire the Pannier Market Hall from mid-September 2019 under the same terms enjoyed during the last season: on a Tuesday and a Thursday at a cost of forty pounds per evening. Councillor McKenzie seconded the proposal.

Discussion followed that included the value of the Hall to the wider Community, the potential for the incoming Development Officer to exploit the Hall outside of the usual trading hours, concerns over an empty Market Hall, loss of traders and the need for a solution. Councillor McKenzie stated that from a business perspective it was important to utilise the asset.

It was proposed by Councillor Mrs Craigie and seconded by Councillor Wootton that the Kenwith Company of Archers may continue to hire Pannier Market Hall from mid-September 2019 under the same terms enjoyed during the last season but restricted to once a week.

(Vote – For: 2, Against: 3)

It was proposed by Councillor Johns seconded and

RESOLVED: That the Kenwith Company of Archers may continue to hire Pannier Market Hall from mid-September 2019 under the same terms enjoyed during the last season: on a Tuesday and a Thursday at a cost of forty pounds per evening.

(Vote – For: 3, Against: 1, Abstention: 1)

The Chairman explained his Market experience advising that the Traders should make provision for movement.

180.      WINTER TRADING SCHEDULE

Ms de Noronha confirmed the desire of the Market Hall traders to change 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.

It was proposed by Councillor Brenton seconded and

RESOLVED: That the Market trading hours would be:

• Winter: December – February 9.00 am – 3.00 pm.
• Summer: March – November 9.00 am – 4.00 pm.

(Vote – For: 5, Against: 0)

181.      TDC WITHDRAWAL OF A BABY CHANGING FACILITY

Councillor Mrs Craigie noted that there was a lot of drug users in the area, that they had been a number of instances where drug users had occupied both the outside Market Hall toilet facilities; Members recalled the fatality.

Ms de Noronha suggested that a notice be posted advising that there are baby changing facilities within the Disabled Toilet of the Market Hall.

Councillor Wootton expressed concern that the drug users may be attracted to the Market Hall – Members did not feel that this would be the case.

It was proposed by Councillor Brenton seconded and

RESOLVED: That the Committee had no objection to TDC removing the baby changing facility and incorporating other initiatives to improve safety. The Council will produce a Notice to advise that there is a baby changing facility within the Disabled Toilets of the Market Hall.

(Vote – For: 5, Against: 0)

182.      COACH TOURS UK – ADVERTISEMENTS

Members had received reports of advertisement opportunities.

The Market Administrator advised that having taken two advertisements Coach Tours UK had been keen to secure further commissions.

It was proposed by Councillor Brenton seconded and

RESOLVED: That the advertisement opportunities are deferred until the Development Officer is in post.

(Vote – For: 5, Against: 0)

183.      STAIR LIFT

Mr Dendle had made quotations from the Platform Lift Company available.

He advised that to obtain Lottery / charitable funding the “Need” had to be researched; representative groups can be approached – to prove its worth for the Community. He had experience where a disability audit was required for a building, albeit a theatre.

The Chairman suggested that Northam Lodge Trust Day Centre could be approached.

Mr Dendle added that further quotations would be required and although he had led the project, having researched the process he did not have the time to devote to staffing a complicated application, along with associated works (including planning).

It was proposed by Councillor Brenton seconded and

RESOLVED: That there is agreement, in principle, to a stair lift installation.

(Vote – For: 5, Against: 0)

184.      DEVELOPMENT WORKING GROUP

There was nothing to report.

185.      SOCIAL MEDIA: FACEBOOK / TWITTER

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

The Chairman asked Ms de Noronha to establish the number of people who would wish to commit to a course and what level of contribution they were prepared to make – in a manner of matched funding.

186.      TRADERS / TENANTS

Ms de Noronha advised:

• Torridge Arts and Crafts did not feel that they could continue supporting the Market following the increase in casual rent charged and the restricted number of tables available. The poor footfall was not encouraging.

o The Market Administrator had corresponded with them to establish whether the Council could make arrangements that would encourage a return.

Councillor Mrs Craigie indicated that an effort should be make to accommodate them.

The Chairman was sure that terms and conditions could be agreed; the Market Administrator will liaise further.

The Item will be placed on the next Agenda.

• A gallery wall had been created, on the stair wall into the Market Hall, current showing the works of one tenant.

o The Market Administrator had agreed to the initiative, on the basis of a prior hugely successful event.

Members while supportive agreed that the Item should be placed on the next Agenda to formalise arrangements.

• A request was made for a £70 provision of a face painter on Easter Saturday.

o Members were unanimous in their agreement.

• Mr Dendle noted that there would soon be three vacant Market Hall Studio Units. He wondered whether their availability would be advertised now or delayed until the arrival of the Development Officer.

o Members agreed that they should be occupied. The Market Administrator wondered if the remit could not be widened beyond simply the Art and Crafts. With a number of Arts / Crafts tenants on site he felt that the message / availability should be circulated within their community. Could single month pop-up leases be encouraged?

Mr Dendle expressed his opposition to the slipping of the Arts and Crafts exclusivity.

• Mr Dendle sought to attract the Media interest at the point of advertising the post of Pannier Market Development Officer and perhaps when the post is filled.

o The Market Administrator agreed to make approaches to combine editorial with the posting of the advertisement.

187.      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)

188.      PART II (CLOSED SESSION)

189.     CHAIRMAN’S REPORT – CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS

There was nothing to report.

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

Members noted that the Tenant of Market Hall Studio Unit Six had given three months’ Notice to Quit effective from 31 March 2019.

The Chairman, having established that there was no further business to discuss, thanked the Members for their attendance and concluded the Meeting at 7.32 pm.

 

Draft Pannier Market Accounts for approval at Market Management Committee 11 April 2019

 

Market Management accounts 110419

 


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