Agenda item

The Committee received oral Updates from the Market Superintendents as follows:

Billingsgate Market

The Superintendent of Billingsgate Market reported that the Chairman of the Market’s Tenants Association had been in hospital since mid June following a planned operation. In his absence, the Superintendent had recently received two letters from the market tenants seeking the sale of the current site, relocation of the market and for them to receive compensation as a result of this.

Secondly, the Superintendent reported that he had received concerns from tenants about the Seafood School on site and the need for them to pay their own element of the service charge. The Superintendent reported that he would meet with tenants to discuss this matter in the near future.

The Committee suggested that the Chairman write to the Chairman of the London Fish Merchants Association on their behalf wishing him a speedy recovery following his operation.

Smithfield Market

The Superintendent of Smithfield Market reported that trade had been quieter on site recently, ahead of the usual Christmas rush. He went on to inform Members that the Market’s annual FSA Audit had taken place yesterday and that Smithfield had retained its overall ‘Good’ rating – the highest rating possible. The audit had highlighted some minor housekeeping issues on site to address going forward.

Spitalfields Market

The Superintendent of Spitalfields Market began by reporting that the invitation to tender for the waste contract on site would be issued next week. In future, all tenants would pay for what they threw away only and new proposals around fruit and vegetable waste would also be introduced. The Superintendent was delighted to report that waste had reduced by 900 tonnes on site compared with last year.

Secondly, the Superintendent informed the Committee that a Gateway 5 report for the introduction of pedestrian segregation barriers at the market had now been approved and the barrier installation contract had been procured resulting in a saving of £12,000 against original estimates.

Finally, the Superintendent reported that tests had been carried out regarding the installation of an entry barrier on site which had revealed that this was likely to be of huge benefit. This would cost approximately £200,000 to implement and would generate up to £45,000 per annum depending on the level of charges implemented. A project has being initiated for this so that Gateway 1 and Gateway 2 approvals could be achieved.