Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Rooms 3 & 4 - 2nd Floor, West Wing, Guildhall. View directions

Contact: Antoinette Duhaney, 020 7332 1408,  Email: antoinette.duhaney@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Note: Moved from 23.09.20 

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Deputy Joyce Nash, Ian Seaton and Mark Wheatley.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

2.

Members' Declarations Under the Code of Conduct in Respect of Items on the Agenda

Minutes:

There were no declarations.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

3.

Order of the Court of Common Council pdf icon PDF 87 KB

To receive the Order of the Court of Common Council dated 16th July 2020.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 3.

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That the Order of the Court of Common Council Is received.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

Election of Chairman

To elect a Chairman pursuant to Standing Order 29.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 4.

Minutes:

In accordance with Standing Order 29(4), the Town Clerk sought expressions of interest from Members willing and eligible for appointment as Chairman. John Chapman and Deputy Hugh Morris indicated their wish to stand for election as Chairman and a secret ballot took place with ballot papers being sent to all committee members present.  The results of the ballot were as follows:

 

John Chapman – 18 votes

Hugh Morris – 10 votes

 

John Chapman was thereby elected as Chairman for the ensuing year.

 

John Chapman in the Chair

 

Mr Chapman thanked Members for their support.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Election of Deputy Chairman

To elect a Deputy Chairman pursuant to Standing Order 30.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 5.

Minutes:

In accordance with Standing Order 30(3)(a), the Town Clerk sought expressions of interest from Members willing and eligible for appointment as Deputy Chairman.  The outgoing Chairman James Tumbridge expressed his wish to seek appointment as Deputy Chairman.  This being the case, James Tumbridge was thereby duly elected as Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year.

 

Mr Tumbridge thanked Members for their support.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Vote of thanks

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That a Vote of Thanks be presented to James Tumbridge, outgoing Chairman for his tenure as Markets Committee Chairman.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Establishment of the Markets Reference Sub-Committee pdf icon PDF 74 KB

Report of the Town Clerk

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That the Members listed below be appointed to the Markets Reference Sub Committee:

 

John Chapman (Chairman)

James Tumbridge (Deputy Chairman)

Peter Bennett

Mark Bostock

Simon Duckworth

Michael Hudson

Greg Lawrence

Deputy Edward Lord

Deputy Robert Merrett

Stephen Quilter

John Scott

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

Public Minutes pdf icon PDF 135 KB

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 15th July 2020.

 

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That the public minutes of the meeting held on 15th July 2020 be agreed as a correct record.

 

Matters arising

Alderman Gowman requested a copy of the letters referred to under item 3 – Energy costs (page 6)

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

Outstanding Actions Log - September 2020 pdf icon PDF 111 KB

Report of the Town Clerk

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 9.

Minutes:

·         Energy Costs - Officers advised that correspondence had now been sent.  It was also reported that the Court of Common Council had approved the appointment of a preferred supplier for a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for off-site renewable electricity for the City of London Corporation. Advanced energy purchase would achieve savings and also reduce the volatility in energy pricing.  The appointment of a new Energy Engineer would support this process along with energy surveys and dedicated workshops for the three wholesale markets.  Members noted that the PPA would accrue substantial savings alongside other measures aimed at reducing energy consumption.

 

·         New Spitalfields Market entry barrier – Officers reported that correspondence had been circulated to Members outlining action to seek recompense for delays in completing the installation.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Superintendents Updates (oral report)

The Superintendents to be heard.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 10.

Minutes:

Billingsgate

It was reported that

·         Although a number of requests for permits had been made, this was less than the number of permits being surrendered.

 

·         Several enquiries regarding filming had been received.

 

·         COVID-19 Testing Centres were being hosted every three days until the end of September 2020.  The impact on the market was minimal and tenants had been very co-operative

 

·         The Annual Harvest Festival would take place on 11th October 2020 at St Mary’s Up Hill at 11am

 

New Spitalfields

It was reported that

·         Following Counsel’s advice, a letter had been sent to the contractor regarding the delays in the installation of the car park entry barrier.  Officers flagged that there was a risk that there would be a breach of contract and the outstanding works would not be completed.

 

·         Part of the site was being used to store decommissioned mortuary equipment including storage containers and refrigeration units which had no impact on the day to day market operations.

 

Trade was steady but there were issues with catering suppliers and two catering businesses had closed and were in the process of assigning leases.

 

Smithfield

·         Officers reported that following the collapse of sections of guttering and canopy on the north east side of East Poultry Avenue at 11.50pm on Saturday 15 August 2020, Structural Engineers had inspected the remaining guttering and canopy and advised that this should be removed before East Poultry Avenue could be re-opened to pedestrians and vehicles.  De-construction had commenced  on 7th September and once completed, further investigation and surveys of the remaining roof structures and coverings in East Poultry Avenue would be undertaken along with an assessment of the gutters and canopies in West Poultry Avenue to identify whether any further remedial works were necessary.

 

In response to observations and questions from Members, Officers advised

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11.

Markets Business Plan Update Period 1 2020/21 (April-July) pdf icon PDF 110 KB

Report of the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 11.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection updating Members on progress made during Period 1 (April-July) of 2020/21 against the key performance indicators (KPIs) and key improvement objectives outlined in the Markets’ Business Plan 2020/21.

 

Mr Lawrence drew the Committee’s attention to incorrect references within the report to Smithfield Markets as a poultry market which was not the case.  Mr Lawrence requested that vacant space should be let now so that they could be fitted out ready for occupation once the roof repairs were completed.  Mr Lawrence reiterated comments at previous meetings that the market was not surplus to requirements.

 

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

 

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

12.

Markets Committee Risk Update - September 2020 pdf icon PDF 441 KB

Report of the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 12.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection outlining management procedures in place to meet the requirements of the Corporate Risk Management Framework.

 

The Director of Markets & Consumer Protection highlighted an error in the report, stating that the Brexit risk should be ranked at Level 2.  Officers also reported that the East Poultry incident had a reduced ranking due to the action taken/measures in place.  Mr Lawrence stated that there were early warning signs before the gutters and canopy collapses as masonry had fallen from Gate 16. and urged Officers to remove the road closures as soon as possible.

 

Officers also reported that the Brexit negotiations were being monitored closely and the Risk Register would be updated as necessary.

 

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

13.

Smithfield Market Car Park Utilisation: February 2020 - July 2020 pdf icon PDF 165 KB

Report of the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 13.

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

14.

Markets Co-location Programme: Food School pdf icon PDF 634 KB

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

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 14.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a joint report of the City Surveyor and the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection in respect of the establishment of an on-site food school as part of the Markets Consolidation Programme (MCP).

 

In introducing the report, the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection paid tribute to the Deputy Chairman for the tenacity with which he had driven this element of the MCP.  Steady progress was being made and governance matters were currently under consideration.

 

A member referred to concerns he had raised in respect of the CoL relationship with Be First and Counterculture Partnership LLP.  Officers had responded with assurances that Counterculture was the only body who could demonstrate the breadth of experience to provide the specialist services required.

 

The Committee echoed the sentiments of the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection on the invaluable input of the Deputy Chairman and unanimously supported the Deputy Chairman’s wish to continue as the Committee’s Lead Member to drive forward progress with the Food School. Members also agreed that oversight for management of the proposed Food school should lie within the remit of the Markets Committee and agreed to send a recommendation to this effect to the Policy & Resources Committee.  

 

Members also made the following points:

 

·           Rent charges should be on the basis of an educational establishment rather than as a trader;

·           The scope for fishmongers and livery companies providing funding should be explored

 

RESOLVED –

 

(1)      That the report be noted.

(2)      That officers explore whether rent charges should be on the basis of an educational establishment rather than as a trader.

(3)      That Officers explore the feasibility of fishmongers and livery companies providing funding.

(4)      That a recommendation be made to the Policy & Resources Committee that the Markets Committee unanimously endorses the Deputy Chairman continuing to act as the

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

15.

Questions on Matters Relating to the Work of the Committee

Minutes:

There were no questions.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

16.

Any Other Business that the Chairman Considers Urgent

Minutes:

There were no urgent items.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

17.

Exclusion of the Public

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.

                                                                                     

 

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 17.

Minutes:

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:-

 

Item(s)

Paragraph

18 - 24

3

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

18.

Non-Public Minutes

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 15th July 2020.

 

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 18.

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 15th July 2020 be agreed as a correct record.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

19.

Tenancies at Will and Assignments

Report of the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 19.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection outlining Tenancies at Will that have been granted at the City of London’s Wholesale Markets and on lease assignments since the last meeting.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

20.

Non-Public Questions on Matters Relating to the Work of the Committee

Minutes:

There were no non-public questions.

 

At this point, Mr Lawrence left the meeting.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

21.

Any Other Business that the Chairman Considers Urgent and Which the Committee Agrees Should be Considered Whilst the Public are Excluded

Minutes:

There were no urgent items.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

22.

Markets Consolidation Programme Update

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

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 22.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report joint report of the The City Surveyor and Director of Markets and Consumer Protection providing an overview of progress on the main elements of the Markets Consolidation Programme.

 

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

23.

Promotion of City of London (Markets) Bill

Report of the Rememberancer

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 23.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Rememberancer promoting a private Bill in Parliament to facilitate the re-location of the City’s Wholesale Markets.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

24.

Covid 19 - Proposals for Additional Support for Tenants

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

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 24.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a joint report of the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection and the City Surveyor in respect of proposals for additional support for tenants during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.