Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Karina Dostalova, Deputy Robin Eve, Ibthayhaj Gani, Graham Packham, Chris Punter and James Tumbridge.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 10 July 2013 (copy attached).

The public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 10 July 2013 were approved as a correct record.

Report of the Town Clerk (copy attached).

A report of the Town Clerk, which Members had requested, on the options which could be explored with regard to the future of the Markets Committee was considered. The report outlined that the options Members could recommend to the Policy & Resources Committee included:

Ø  Retaining the Markets Committee in its current form with the possibility of it becoming a Non – Ward Committee; or

Ø  Exploring the possibility of disbanding the Markets Committee and for the relevant functions to be transferred to other Committees, such as the Port Health & Environmental Services Committee and the Property Investment Board.

A lengthy debate took place and reference was made to the following points:

The Markets Committee had created good working relationships with the relevant authorities, traders and other stakeholders and any change to the status of the Committee could have reputational risks.

Members discussed the possibility of a Non-Ward Markets Committee, with a smaller membership, meeting four times per annum with the possibility of taking back responsibility for Leadenhall Market. A Member pointed out that if Leadenhall Market came under the remit of this Committee the relationship between the tenants and the City Corporation could be improved.

Some Members highlighted that Leadenhall Market is an investment property, as a retail emporium, similar to One New Change, and was therefore not in the same category as the three Wholesale Markets.

A number of City Corporation Committees which had previously been amalgamated had resulted in an increased workload for other Committees. For example, the Port Health & Environmental Services Committee and the Community & Children’s Services Committee had a wide remit and if elements of the Markets Committee were transferred to such Committees the workload for those Committees would substantially increase.

If the Markets Committee changed its status from a Ward Committee to a Non-Ward Committee there

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection (copy attached).

A report of the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection provided an update on the progress against the Business Plan of the Markets Department for Period 1 (April – July) of 2013-14 against key performance indicators (KPSs) and the objectives outlined in the Business Plan.

In response to a question by a Member, the Superintendent of Billingsgate Market explained that the figure in Appendix A should read 62.5% and not 57.1% in relation to ‘all reports being completed within 3 days following the notification of an incident’. 

A discussion took place on the accuracy of the throughput figures for tonnage which were an estimated figure provided by tenants.  A vote took place on whether the figures should feature in future reports, the result of the vote was as follows:-

In favour of including tonnage throughput figures in future reports: 4

In favour of not including throughput figures in future reports: 15

RESOLVED –That future reports do not contain tonnage throughput figures.

Report of the Town Clerk (copy attached).

A report of the Town Clerk setting out an Outstanding Reference schedule was received.

There were no questions.

There were no items of urgent business.

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 Paragraph 3 of 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 10 July 2013 (copy attached).

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 10 July 2013 were approved as a correct record subject to an additional paragraph under item 13.

Report of the City Surveyor (To Follow).

A report of the City Surveyor was received.  

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection (copy attached).

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

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection (copy attached).

A report of the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection was considered and agreed.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection (copy attached).

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

There were no questions.

There were no items of urgent business.