Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Gregory Lawrence, Oliver Sells, Henry Jones, James Tumbridge and Alderman Sir David Wootton.

Mr Jones, Mr Wells and Alderman Wootton joined the meeting on-line.

The Board asked if it would be possible to get a second Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) signatory for each of the Market Tenant Associations, in case Chairs are unable to attend the Board meetings.

There were no declarations.

To approve the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 9^th November 2022.

RESOLVED, that – the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 9^th November 2022 be approved as a correct record

Report of the Chief Operating Officer.

The Board considered a report of the Chief Operating Officer  (COO) which presented the Business Plan for the Department of the COO for the 2023/24 Financial Year. The report also presented the Divisional Plan for the Markets Directorate.

Members noted that the Business Plan would be updated following a decision taken earlier in the day, by the Capital Buildings Board, in respect of the Market Co-location Programme (MCP).   Members would also receive a further update in the confidential part of today’s agenda.  

RESOLVED, that :

• The direction of travel within the Department of the COO and the associated transformation planning within the Markets Directorate be noted.

• The Department of the COO Business Plan for 2023/24, set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

• The Markets Business Plan for 2023/24, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report, be approved.

Report of the Markets Director.

The  Board considered a report of the Markets Director which provided Members with an update on work to develop a comprehensive set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the Markets, which will support performance management and the delivery of business plan objectives.

RESOLVED, that –the selected KPI’s,  identified in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved for performance reporting.

Report of the Markets Director.

This Board received a report of the Markets Director which provided an  update on progress made during Period 2 (August-November) of 2022/23, against the key performance indicators (KPIs) and key improvement objectives outlined in the Markets’ Business Plan 2022/23.

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted.

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.

Members noted that, given only two of the markets are now moving, the risk would be updated once the Private Bill had been passed.

In respect of the East Smithfield canopy works, Members noted that funding had not been approved.  A report of the City Surveyor was expected shortly but funding would need to be sourced. 

RESOLVED, that – the report and the actions taken in the Markets Division to monitor, and manage effectively, the risks arising from its operations be noted.

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

The Board received updates from the General Managers of Billingsgate, New Spitalfields and Smithfield Markets

Members expressed disappointment in that the Christmas Auction at Smithfield Market had not gone ahead again this year.  The Markets Director explained that this is a busy event, on a  public highway.  In order to exercise full due diligence, the fee for a Temporary Event Notice and road closure is around £2,000.  The Smithfield Market Tenant’s Association  (SMTA) were not prepared to pay this, despite the City Corporation’s offer of assistance. 

Members felt that, whilst public safety was paramount, it was regrettable that the event had not gone ahead as it was a popular event in the City’s cultural offer at Christmas.   Members asked if there were any plans in terms of a budget provision for the event, and it was noted that ‘Destination City’ might be a possibility.   A member agreed to speak to the Chairs of Policy and the Smithfield Market Tenants Association.  

In concluding, the Chairman agreed that it was disappointing but endorsed the Director’s approach to risk management and asked for a situation report ahead of this year’s arrangements.

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 approve the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 9^th November 2022.

RESOLVED, that - The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 9^th November 2022 be approved as a correct record.

Report of the Markets Director.

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 Town Clerk.

The Board received a report of the Town Clerk, which advised Members of action taken by the Town Clerk since the last meeting of the Markets Committee, in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman, and in accordance with Standing Order No. 41 in respect of the Poultry Market Surplus Declaration.

RESOLVED, that - the action taken by the Town Clerk, in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Markets Board, be noted; ie – that the Poultry Market be declared as  ‘no longer required for market purposes’ and the Surplus decision be engaged.

There were no questions.

Two items were considered whilst the public were excluded. 

To approve the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 9^th November 2022.

RESOLVED, that – the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 9^th November 2022 be approved

Director of the Markets Co-Location Programme to be heard. 

The Markets Director was heard.