Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Mark Bostock, James Tumbridge and Philip Woodhouse.  Mark Bostock joined the meeting remotely.

Mr Gregory Lawrence advised that he has been granted a dispensation to speak on all matters concerning the London Central Markets (Smithfield) other than: (i) those in which he has a disclosable pecuniary interest as a shareholder or director of any company which holds a tenancy in the market; and (ii) those which would affect only him personally or his business interests as opposed to the generality of tenants within the market. NB. This dispensation will be in place until the next Common Council elections in March 2025.

To approve the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 13^th July 2022.

RESOLVED, That – the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 13^th July 2022 be approved as a correct record.

Subject to the following amendments:

1. Private Members Bill re the Markets Relocation Programme remove ‘take it up to the deadline’ from the end of paragraph 6 on page 10.

2. Paul Martinelli had been in  attendance virtually at the last meeting by virtue of representing the Smithfield Market Tenants Association, not as member of this Committee and had therefore not submitted apologies.

Matters arising

The Chairman advised that visits to all three of the markets had taken place since the last meeting, and the Chairman and Deputy Chairman had visited the new site in Dagenham.  A further Officer/Member visit was planned for the end of September, with a  possibility of repeating this for any Members unable to attend.

The Markets Director advised that a specification had been written to document the history of the markets, working with tenants and stakeholders, to produce pictorial and video evidence.  Initial findings suggested that the cost could be in the region of £50-100k and it would not be possible to fund this from the Markets Local Risk Budget.  Therefore, a soft market test would be undertaken to firm up the estimate, possibly adjusting the specification.   The Chairman and Members stressed the importance of the Markets’ heritage and legacy and asked to be kept updated on progress.

To receive updates from the General Managers of New Spitalfields and Smithfield Markets.

Members are asked to note that there is a non-public update in respect of Billingsgate in part 2 of the Agenda and a further non-public update in respect of New Spitalfiels.

The Board received the General Managers updates, noting that New Spitalfields update would be in the non-public part of the meeting.

Smithfield

Members noted that, following the accident at Smithfield 4 July 2022, a number of improvements had either been implemented,  or were due for implementation.  The General Manager advised that the accident had been caused by the methodology used in moving products and the pallet had toppled over.  The Police were carrying out a criminal investigation but it was not yet certain if charges would follow.  Weekly meetings had been taking place in respect of a new 45 point action plan. Members noted Smithfield’s excellent safety record in respect of fork lifts and this was the only serious incident in 40 years.   The Health and Safety Executive had been engaged and the Market Constables remained vigilant.   The General Manager stressed that the new procedures would continue throughout the transition period out of the Poultry Market.  

Members noted that high visibility jackets are now mandatory for all fork lift drivers, there is a one-way system in the market and produce must be taken directly into traders’ premises.  It was suggested that a process, whereby people and machinery are completely separate, should be considered in the future.  The Chief Operating Officer advised that the law requires risks to be managed at the lowest possible level; risk assessments are updated regularly, with all mitigations carefully considered.

Billingsgate

The General Manager advised that this update had orignally been included in the non-public part of the published agenda but he was able to provide an update in public.  Members had seen the new CCTV system and control room on their recent visit, and it had gone live on 1st August 2022.  The Market now has over 100 4k cameras across the site, which will

Report of the Markets Director.

The Board received a report of the Markets Director, which provided assurance that risk management procedures in place within the Markets Division are satisfactory and meet the requirements of the corporate Risk Management Framework.

The Officer advised that there had been movement on one red risk in respect of transport, which is shared across all 3 markets, whilst remedial actions are underway at Smithfield.  As new measures are introduced, it should be possible to lower this back to the target.

Members noted the corporate risk in respect of energy and the Board had received a report of the Energy Manager at its last meeting. The Chief Operating Officer (COO) advised that the City Surveyor was leading on detailed works in terms of energy, and there might be some positive news shortly in terms of  the City Corporation’s ability to manage costs over the next couple of years.

In terms of possible future XR demonstrations at Smithfield, the Markets Director advised that the Strategic Director for Threat shares intelligence and, under Gold Command, the market would be alerted within minutes.

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted.

Report of the Markets Director.

The Board received a report of the Markets Director, which provided an update on progress made during Period 1 (April-July) of 2022/23 against the key performance indicators (KPIs) and key improvement objectives outlined in the Markets’ Business Plan 2022/23. Members noted that the KPI’s would be enhanced in future reports.

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 13^th July 2022.

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 13^th July 2022 were approved as a correct record.

To receive non-public updates from the General Managers of Billingsgate, New Spitalfields and Smithfield Markets.

The Board received the non-public updates of the General Managers.

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Board received a report of the Markets Director.

Report of the Markets Director.

The Board received a report of the Markets Director.

Report of the Director of Markets.

The Board considered and approved a report of the Markets Director.

There were no questions.

Three items were noted whilst the public were excluded.

The Co-Location Programme Director to be heard.

The Markets Director was heard.