Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Rehana Ameer, Matthew Bell, Deputy Henry Jones, Deputy Edward Lord, the Chief Commoner and Deputy Giles Shilson.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 9 May 2018.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes of the meeting held on 9 May 2018 be approved as a correct record.

The Superintendents to be heard.

The Committee heard from the market Superintendents and the following matters were raised:-

Smithfield Market

·         No unguided HGV movements were recorded during the bi-monthly HGV audit carried out to 27 June. Taking account of the controlling mechanisms available on the site, with no fence / gatehouse and the difficulty in segregating pedestrians and vehicles, the HGV risk would continue to be recorded as moderate / amber.

·         Noted that the condenser water temperatures had remained at appropriate levels during the recent hot weather. During 2019 the system pipework would be replaced.

·         An event licence had been obtained for the Smithfield 150 celebrations and planning was at an advanced stage.

Billingsgate Market

·         Dan Ritchie introduced himself as Malcolm Macleod’s replacement and the Committee noted that an EU fund award of £14,000 had been approved for a forklift truck and further applications would continue to be submitted for EU funding as appropriate.

New Spitalfields

·         The Chairman referred to the email to Members and the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection (DMCP) from the Chairman of the New Spitalfields Market Tenants’ Association. The email raised concerns at the cost of the waste / cleaning contracts at the market and associated issues relating to the proposed entry barrier. The Chairman asked the Superintendent to inform the Committee of his response and confirmed that, in liaison with the DMCP, he would send a formal reply on behalf of the Committee.

The Superintendent confirmed that the waste contract provided best value, being the cheapest and offering the best technical envelope. He also said that payment of the London Living Wage (LLW) had increased the contract recharge to the service charge, but that the impact is minimised as much as possible and that only those actually entitled to receive the LLW are included in Countrystyle’s costs, with the

Report by the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

The Committee had before them the report of the DMCP on Markets Committee Risk. The following matters were raised:-

·         In response to a Member, the New Spitalfields Market Superintendent said that he was unaware of the cost of the ‘be-spoke’ FLT safety procedures training. It was noted that tenants needed to take responsibility in respect of a number of health and safety considerations on site.

·         Noted that confirmation should be available at the next meeting that all data protection matters within the remit of the Committee had been adequately dealt with.

RECEIVED.

Joint report by the Chamberlain and the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

Members then considered the joint report by the Chamberlain and the DMCP on the revenue outturn. The following matters were raised:-

·         A Member raised the question of reduced service charge income at Smithfield, due to additional Poultry Market units not being let, and said that this shortfall should be recharged to another appropriate budget rather than to the Markets Committee. The Chamberlain confirmed revenue estimates for the forthcoming year would take account of this situation.

·         The Committee then noted a further point from the same Member regarding revised budgets during the year and the need to compare revenues against originally predicted figures. He referred to the capital and support services overspend of £200,000, including a figure of £75,000 for Chamberlain’s (IT and City Procurement) (page 20 of agenda pack). The Chairman asked the Chamberlain to write to Members to advise them of the details of the £75,000 variance and confirm reasons for changes to the original budget.

RECEIVED. 

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 remaining 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.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 9 May 2018.

RESOLVED –That the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 9 May 2018 be approved as a correct record.

To consider the resolution from the Policy and Resources Committee on the Strategic Review of Markets.

The Committee considered the resolution of the Policy and Resources Committee.

To consider and approve the terms of reference of the Working Party established at the last Committee meeting.

The Committee considered the terms of reference of its Working Party and received an update on the Strategic Review of Markets by the Programme Director.

Report by the Town Clerk.

The Committee noted the urgent action taken under Standing Order No. 41(a).

There were no questions.

The Committee considered an urgent item of business related to the Strategic Review of Markets.