Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Revd Dr William Campbell-Taylor, Deputy John Chapman, Deputy Stanley Ginsburg, Brian Harris, Tom Hoffman, Robert Merrett, Elizabeth Rogula, Patrick Streeter and James Tumbridge.

There were no declarations.

To receive the Order of the Court of Common Council, 1 May 2014, appointing the Committee and approving its Terms of Reference.

The Order of the Court of Common Council, of 1 May 2014, appointing the Committee and approving its Terms of Reference was received.

To elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 29.

The Committee proceeded to elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 29.

The Town Clerk read out a list of Members eligible to stand as Chairman. Michael Hudson and John Scott indicated their willingness to serve and therefore a ballot was taken.

The results were as follows:

Michael Hudson          8

John Scott                   13

John Scott was therefore declared Chairman for the ensuing year.

To elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 30.

The Committee proceeded to elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No.30.

Hugh Morris, the Immediate Past Chairman, exercised his right to be Deputy Chairman and was duly elected for the ensuing year.

LATE CHAIRMAN – VOTE OF THANKS

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY –

Members of the Markets Committee wish to record their sincere thanks and gratitude to

HUGH FENTON MORRIS

for his excellent work as their Chairman.

AS Chairman, he has been active in all aspects of the work of the Committee showing great drive and commitment to ensure the success of the Committee.

UPON commencing chairmanship, he was fortunate to inherit the work carried out by his predecessors on the Billingsgate Market working practices and, through his drive and vigour, he brought this vital area of work to a highly successful conclusion, which has transformed the atmosphere of the Market.

HIS chairmanship, however, was truly marked by the work leading to the renewal of the leases at Smithfield Market. He was instrumental in reaching a successful conclusion on the lease negotiations which is a testament to his diligence, professional manner and skills of tact and diplomacy. He spent an immense amount of his personal time actively engaging with the relevant parties and demonstrated a high level of dedication in achieving a result which enables the City Corporation to recover the costs of operating the Market, via the Service Charge plus a separate rent, which should ensure the long term health of the Market.

DURING his tenure he demonstrated a robust and energetic style which enabled him to steer the Committee in an exemplary and courteous manner. He presided over the Committee’s debates allowing full consideration to the routine business of the Committee including areas such as the Markets and Consumer Protection Department business plan, revenue and capital

To appoint the Reference Sub Committee for the ensuing year.

Members proceeded to appoint the Reference Sub Committee for the ensuing year.

RESOLVED – That the Reference Sub Committee be comprised of the following Members:-

Chairman, John Scott

Deputy Chairman, Hugh Morris

Chris Hayward

Jamie Ingham Clark

Edward Lord

Deputy Joyce Nash

Deputy Giles Shilson

x2 vacancies

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2014.

The public minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2014 were approved as a correct record subject to minor amendments.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection which provided Members with an update on progress against the Business Plan of the Markets Department for Period 3 (December-March) of 2013-14 against key performance indicators (KPIs) and objectives outlined in the Business Plan.  The report consisted of:

·        Performance against the key performance indicators (KPIs) and progress report on the business plan

·        Matters of general interest to the Committee

·        Markets Risk Register 

·        Financial information

·        Sickness statistics

The report highlighted that at the end of February 2014, the Department of Markets & Consumer Protection was £311k (21.2%) underspent against the local risk budget to date of £1.5m, over all the services now managed by the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection covering the Markets Committee. Overall the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection was currently forecasting a year end underspend position of £142k (8.9%) for the Department’s City Fund and City Cash services.

The Chairman pointed out that on page 11 of the report the reference to all accidents reports to be completed within 3 days following the notification of an incident, for Billingsgate Market, should read 100% and not 83.3%.

A discussion took place and in response to a question by a Member the Superintendent of Smithfield Market explained that an audit had been carried out by the Corporate Health & Safety Manager and within it the safety concerns relating to the banksmen duties would be highlighted. It was noted that individual operators were looking at their own responsibilities to ensure that they carry out the banksmen duties effectively. Members emphasised that this issue needed to be kept under review by officers.

In relation to the Smithfield Poultry Market Re-roofing and Rewiring Project the Director reported that the project was progressing to the Gateway 4 Options Appraisal stage and that tenants

Report of the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection.

A report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection detailed the Business Plan for 2014-17 for the Department of Markets and Consumer Protection. The report highlighted that the Department reported to three discrete City Committees: Markets; Port Health and Environmental Services; and Licensing. The Business Plan consisted of an overarching plan which contained information relating to the whole department, and a separate annex for each of the three Committees which reflected the responsibilities of that Committee only.

The Business Plan identified some key achievements from the past year and set out what the Department aimed to achieve this year, the standards which will be attained, and where this fit within the corporate plans.

A discussion took place on the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and that these be listed next to the objective in future reports. The Director undertook to explore whether the KPIs could be described as more outcome based.

RESOLVED – That Members approve the contents of the report.

West Poultry Avenue

In response to a question by the Deputy Chairman, which was colloquially known as the ‘Michael Farrow memorial question’, the Director explained that in respect of the opening of the West Poultry Market this was a highways matter.

There were no urgent items.

MOTION - That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

RESOLVED – That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act as follows:-

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2014.

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2014 were approved as a correct record.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

A report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection was received.

Joint report of the City Surveyor and the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

A joint report of the City Surveyor and the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection was considered and agreed.  

Report of the City Surveyor.

A report of the City Surveyor was received.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

A report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection was received.

There were no questions.

There were no urgent items.