Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Mathew Bell, Nicholas Bensted-Smith, Deputy Henry Jones, Alderman Bronek Masojada, Deputy Joyce Nash, John Petrie, John Scott and Deputy Philip Woodhouse.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 25.09.19.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes of the meeting held on 25.09.19 be approved as a correct record.

Matters arising

·       Tenant engagement meeting for Smithfield Market – officers advised that this meeting had not taken place and market traders did not participate engagement events which had been arranged. It was also reported that the Chair of the Tenants Association had a regular dialogue with the Committee Chairman.  Mr Lawrence added that liaison meetings had taken place in April and September and the Chairman reported that he had regular conversations with other key members to maintain the momentum to drive the MCP

·       Strategic Review Meetings – the Chairman reported that he had not been invited to attend these meetings but had extensive discussions with the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.  Two Member Oversight Groups would drive the MCP and would be tasked with

(a)  Considering the future use of current market sites

(b)  Driving the MCP

To hear updates from the Superintendents of Billingsgate, New Smithfield and Spitalfields Markets.

Billingsgate

The Superintendent reported that

·       Most of the recommendations of the recent Traffic Management Assessment related to signage and the lack of cross hatched markings on walkways and crossing points which were being addressed.

·       Extinction Rebellion protestors had visited Billingsgate overnight on ?? 2019.  There was a high police presence to ensure the 250 protestors did not impact on access and egress to the site and 28 arrests were made, mainly for non-dispersal.

Smithfield

The Superintendent reported that

·       The Extinction Rebellion protest on 7^th October had passed off peacefully with only 1 arrest for trespass. Debriefs were in progress to share learning which would be valuable preparation for any future protests.

·       A meeting with tenants had been held the previous week to discuss energy costs and a planning strategy meeting would take place in June 2020 to consider options for energy pricing when the current contract expired.

·       Sprinkler replacement works had been completed ahead of schedule.

·       The risk score for HGV deliveries had been reduced from 12 to 8 in view of the low levels of non-compliance

·       The Christmas auction would take place in Grand Avenue from 10.30am to 12.30pm on 24^th December 2019.

New Spitalfields

The Committee congratulated Deborah Howard on her appointment as Superintendent at New Spitalfields Market. The Superintendent reported that

·       Partial road closures would be in place at Ruckholt Road for 5 nights during March 2020. Officers were liaising with Waltham Forest to ensure that any impact on access and egress to the market was minimised.

·       Use of the newly installed controlled barrier entry system had been delayed due to faulty equipment which had to be replaced.

·       CCTV cameras had been increased from 86 to 144 to enhance security on site and deter flytippers.

Report of the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection outlining measures in the Department of Markets and Consumer Protection to monitor and effectively manage risk.

Officers advised that the report had been republished as an earlier draft was inadvertently included in the original agenda despatch.  It was also reported that

·       Risk MCP-SM 001 - HGV unloading at Smithfield Market had been downgraded in view of the low levels of non-compliance.

·       Risk MCP-SM 008 - Fire alarm panel at Smithfield Market was being addressed.  There had been a change of contractor and officers were liaising with the City Surveyors Team to resolve outstanding items.

RESOLVED –

That the actions taken in the Department of Markets and Consumer Protection to monitor, and manage risk be noted.

There were no questions.

·       National Association of British Markets (NABMA) – The Director of Markets & Consumer Protection reported on a NABMA event hosted by the Corporation of London the previous week.  The event was launched by the Deputy Chairman of the Committee and was well attended with positive feedback from delegates.  Members commended officers for hosting a successful event which enhanced the CoL image and reputation.

·       Bringing the Wholesale Markets Together Stakeholders Brochure – The Committee Chairman reminded Members of the drop-in sessions, details of which were in the brochure.  Aspirations included a food school for Smithfield Market to offer vocational training and support the long-term viability of the consolidated markets.

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 25.09.19.

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 25.09.19 be approved as a correct record.

Report of the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer protection on proposals to recover outstanding debts at Billingsgate Market.

Report of the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection outlining arrears in respect of Billingsgate, New Smithfield and Spitalfields Markets.

Joint report of the Town Clerk and City Surveyor.

Note: The appendices to this report have not been circulated as part of this agenda and are available electronically from the Committee Secretary on request.

The Committee considered a report of the City Surveyor updating Members on the business case for pursuing the Markets Consolidation Programme.

There were no questions.

There were no urgent items.