Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Nicholas Bensted-Smith, Alderman Charles Bowman, Jamie Ingham Clark, Robert Merrett, Chris Punter, Deputy Giles Shilson and Patrick Streeter.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2014.

The public minutes of the meeting held on 19^th September were approved as a correct record.

Report of the City Surveyor

This report should be read in conjunction with Item 12 on the agenda

A report of the City Surveyor provided Members with an update on the performance of the Condenser Water Cooling System at Smithfield Market which serves Tenants’ refrigeration equipment, and the works currently being undertaken to improve the system. The report highlighted that the performance of the condenser water cooling system was satisfactory but some operational issues had been experienced which had impacted refrigeration equipment.

In response to a question by a Member, the City Surveyor explained that five out of the seven Phase 3, sections of work had been completed with the remaining two due to be completed within the next two weeks.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Chamberlain

A report of the Chamberlain was received introducing the new Risk Management Strategy which had been approved by the Audit and Risk Management Committee. At the request of the Audit and Risk Committee, a revised framework for the review of key departmental risks had been developed. The Markets and Consumer Protection Department risk review was due to take place on the 24^th February 2015.

In response to a question, the City Surveyor informed Members that a list of risks was presented triannually to the Markets Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

A joint report of the Chamberlain and the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection

A joint report of the Chamberlain and Director of Markets and Consumer Protection provided the annual submission of the revenue and capital budgets which were overseen by the Committee. The report sought approval for the provisional revenue budget for 2015/16 and will then be submitted to the Finance Committee.

A discussion took place regarding the changes from the original 2014/15 revised 2014/15 budgets. Members requested that a report be produced detailing the changes that had taken place.

A Member also requested a breakdown of the 2015/16 depreciation charges for the markets to be provided to Members of the Committee.

RESOLVED – That –

a)    Members review the provisional 2015/16 revenue budget including the service based review proposals and approve for submission to the Finance Committee.

b)    The Town Clerk in discussion with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman be given authority to substitute service based review proposals if the current proposals are rejected. If the new proposal is complex in nature that the Town Clerk shall consult with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Policy and Resources prior to approving an alternative proposal.

c)    Members review and approve the draft capital budget.

d)    Members authorise the Chamberlain to revise the budgets to allow for further implications arising from potential budget developments including any changes from Markets Service Reviews, City of London Procurement Initiative Savings, changes to the Additional Works Programme, implications arising from Carbon Trading Allowances and changes in respect of recharges. If the revisions vary by more than 10% of total expenditure, a further report will be submitted to this Committee for approval. 

e)    A report detailing the changes from the original 2014/15 budget to the revised 2014/15 budget be circulated to Members.

A report of the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection

Members considered a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection regarding enforcement activity carried out by Smithfield Enforcement Team. Members were advised that current information from the Food Standards Agency on enforcement activity within Smithfield Market was not available.

Members were informed that the Food Standards Agency attendance at Smithfield Markets would be reduced from 75 to 35 a week due to budget pressures. The Smithfield Enforcement Team would be working with tenants and the Food Standards Agency to ensure that the food handling regime would not be compromised as a result.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

There were no questions.

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 19 September 2014.

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on the 19^th September 2014, were approved as a correct record.

Report of the City Surveyor

A report of the City Surveyor provided Members with an update which was to be read in conjunction with Item 4.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection

A report of the Director or Markets and Consumer Protection informed Members of the invoiced income raised and outstanding as of 30^th September 2014.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

There were no questions.

There was one urgent item.

Report of the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection

Circulated to Members separately

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection that sought approval to the savings proposed under the Service Based Review.

RESOLVED – That:-

a)    the next phase of work which will include consultation with staff and the Trade Unions and may require minor changes and a degree of management flexibility, be noted; and

b)     the savings and income generation proposals for the Department of Markets and Consumer Protection, be approved.