Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Nicholas Bensted-Smith, Deputy Henry Jones, Deputy Robert Merrett, Andrien Meyers and Deputy Tom Sleigh.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 8^th May 2019.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes of the previous meeting held on 8^th May 2019 be agreed as a correct record.

Report of the Interim Director of Markets & Consumer Protection

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection updating Members on the management of risk in accordance with the City of London’s Corporate Risk Management Framework.

In response to questions and comments from Members, Officers reported that a Traffic Management Consultant had visited Billingsgate and the outcome of the Transport Risk Audit would be reported in due course.  The “Workplace Transport” risk was being well managed and further training would be provided in September 2019.  In order to address the perception of non-compliance, the Traffic Management Consultant was reviewing vehicle movements and Officers were confident that all milestones would be achieved by their due date. 

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

Report of the Interim Director of Markets & Consumer Protection

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection in respect of the City Harvest Charity proposals to collect and redistribute end of life produce from New Spitalfields Market. 

The Committee unanimously endorsed the officer recommendations and debated the merits of awarding a grant to City Harvest rather than allowing them a “rent free period.”  It was also suggested that the recommendation be amended to facilitate an annual review of the tenancy.

RESOLVED – That a tenancy-at-will for City Harvest, in the former CHEP site, at a peppercorn rent be approved and reviewed annually, on the proviso that all service charge and business rates costs are met by City Harvest.

Report of the Chamberlain

The Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain comparing the 2018/19 revenue outturn with the end of year budget. 

In presenting the report, Officers advised that costs of £40,000 for the hydraulic platform replacement and £4,000 for replacement matting for the refrigeration deck would be met from an agreed carried forward underspend from the local risk budget. Other items listed in paragraph 6 on page 36 of the agenda pack had not been approved on the grounds that these items were not planned for during the 2018-19 financial year. 

In response to questions and comments from Members, Officers stated that there were no Health & Safety implications arising from delaying the outstanding items in para 6 which would be carried forward 2020/21.

RESOLVED – That the report and the proposed carry forward of local risk underspends to 2019/20 be noted.

There were no questions.

Market Superintendent updates

Billingsgate - The Market Superintendent advised that

·     Some tenants felt that Members were unaware of the challenges presented by the capacity and ageing infrastructure. Tenants had been assured that this was a key n consideration in proposals to co-locate the markets.  Members were alerted to the likelihood that these concerns would be raised by tenants at the forthcoming Markets Committee visit on 30^th August 2019.

·     Since the last meeting, Billingsgate had hosted separate visits by the Lord Mayor on 5^th July and the Chief Commoner on 12^th July.

·     The Superintendent was working closely with industry authority Seafish and the Billingsgate Seafood Training School to promote Seafood Week from 4^th – 11^th October 2019.

New Spitalfields - The Market Superintendent advised that

·     Entry barrier works were in the final phase and it was anticipated that system test would take place two weeks hence.

·     The CCTV contract had been awarded to Clearview communications limited and the number of cameras would be increased from 86 cameras to 146. The procurement exercise had been very successful and the final contract price was lower than indicated by the soft market test.

·     A Customer Service questionnaire had yielded positive feedback although the response rate was low.  A follow up survey would be carried out in 12 months in the hope that the response rate would increase.

·       The Coroner pre-inquest review regarding the Fatality on site would be held on 18^th July 2019 and the HSE had made observations in respect risks associated with the hoops of the cargo stay being used as a means of assisting in climbing up the rear of the load. The HSE would, in any case, warn against the use of Cargo Stays being as a means of climbing the side of a

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 8^th May 2019.

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the previous meeting held on 8^th May 2019 be agreed as a correct record.

Report of the City Surveyor

The Committee considered a report of the City Surveyor outlining action to progress the Markets Consolidation Programme.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection on debt management.

There were no non-public questions.

The Committee considered one urgent item of business.