Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Deputy Robin Eve, Ibthayhaj Gani, Deputy Keith Knowles, Deputy Wendy Mead and James Tumbridge.

There were no declarations.

To receive the Order of the Court of Common Council, 25 April 2013, appointing the Committee and approving its Terms of Reference (copy attached).

The Order of the Court of Common Council, of 25 April 2013, appointing the Committee and approving its Terms of Reference was received.

To elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 29.

The Committee proceeded to elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 29.

The Town Clerk read out a list of Members eligible to stand as Chairman and Hugh Morris, being the only Member indicating his willingness to serve, was duly elected Chairman for the ensuing year, and took the Chair.

To elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 30.

The Committee proceeded to elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 30.

The Town Clerk read out a list of Members eligible to serve and Michael Hudson, being the only Member indicating his willingness to serve, was duly elected Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year.

The Chairman welcomed Professor John Lumley, Patrick Streeter, Chris Hayward, Graham Packham, Ian Seaton, Angela Starling, Mark Wheatley, Karina Dostalova, Deputy Wendy Mead, Deputy Edward Lord, Ibthayhaj Gani and Tom Hoffman.

The Chairman thanked Deputy John Bennett, Mark Boleat, Nigel Challis, Stella Currie, Alex Deane, Peter Dunphy, Deputy Bill Fraser, Pauline Halliday, Michael Henderson-Begg, Deputy Henry Jones, Michael Page and John Spanner for their contribution to the Committee.

To appoint the Reference Sub Committee for the ensuing year.

Members proceeded to appoint the Reference Sub Committee for the ensuing year.

RESOLVED – That the Reference Sub Committee be comprised of the following Members: -

Hugh Morris (Chairman)

Michael Hudson (Deputy Chairman)

Alex Bain-Stewart

Deputy Robin Eve

Deputy Stanley Ginsburg

Deputy Edward Lord

Professor John Lumley

Deputy Joyce Nash

Deputy Giles Shilson.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 28 February 2013 (copy attached).

The public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 28 February 2013 were approved.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection (copy attached).

A report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection which updated Members on the progress in achieving the objectives set out in the annual Business Plan for the 3^rd period in 2012/13 (December – March inclusive) was considered. The principal subjects covered in the report were:

·           Promotion of the Markets;

·           Food Standard Agency;

·           Crossrail;

·           Billingsgate Roof Renewal Project;

·           Renting Vacant Premises;

·           Spitalfields Health and Safety Plan;

·           Energy Efficiencies;

·           Sickness Update and;

·           Finance Update.

A discussion took place on the possibility that one of the businesses at the Market could be eligible for investment by the City’s Social Enterprise Fund.  The Superintendent of Spitalfields Market would carry out some initial research to explore if the business would be eligible and, if so, inform the relevant business accordingly.

In response to a question by a Member, the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection explained that in relation to the sickness absence statistics all cases were being dealt with in line with the City Corporation’s Sickness Absence Management Policy.

In relation to the renting of vacant premises at the Markets, the Superintendent of Smithfield Market explained that various vacant units had been identified for potential letting and that a plan was being drawn up for this to be undertaken in phases.

In response to a question by a Member, it was noted that the property agent’s signs outside Billingsgate Market would be removed.

RECEIVED

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection (copy attached).

A report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection detailing the Business Plan for 2013-2016 for the Department was considered. The Business Plan consisted of an overarching plan which contained information relating to the whole department, and a separate annex reflecting the responsibilities of this Committee. The Business Plan identified some key achievements from the past year and set out what the aim to achieve was for this year, the standards which would be attained and where this fit in with the Corporate Plans.

In relation to the parking marshals at Billingsgate Market, it was noted that the wages costs were offset against the income credited to the service charge; there was no net cost to the City.

In response to a question by a Member, the Chamberlain undertook to provide the reasons for the increase in the Markets employee costs from the 2012/13 original budget to the revised budget and a breakdown of transport costs which would be circulated to the particular Member.

RESOLVED – That Members approve the contents of this report and its appendix.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection (copy attached).

A report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection set out that a Working Party comprising the three Market Superintendents and Comptroller & City Solicitor was set up to review whether there was a need for a new set of byelaws. All three tenants associations, recognised tenants staff trade unions, and the City management at each Market were consulted as part of the review process.

RESOLVED – That Members agree that new byelaws are not sought for the Markets at present but that the position be monitored and, if existing remedies prove ineffective, the issue be reviewed, particularly if Fixed Penalty Notices become available as penalties under byelaws in the future.

Verbal update by the Superintendent, Smithfield Market.

The Superintendent of Smithfield Market provided a verbal update on the Crossrail works scheduled to take place around Smithfield Market.  He highlighted that the east and west ticket halls were being constructed adjoining Thameslink at Farringdon Station. The works were taking place on weekends and would now be taking place during the week too. The east Market car park would be occupied by Crossrail during the works period and it was envisaged that all works would be completed by Christmas 2013.

RECEIVED

Markets Committee

In response to a question by a Member on the work and future of the Committee it was noted that an options paper would be drafted by the Town Clerk and reported back to this Committee.

Visit to Spitalfields Market

The Chairman reminded the Committee that a visit to Spitalfields Market was planned to take place on 16 May 2013 and that, if Members had not done so already, let the Town Clerk know if they wished to attend.

There were no urgent items.

MOTION: That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

RESOLVED: That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 28 February 2013 (copy attached).

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 28 February 2013 were approved.

Joint report of the City Surveyor & the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection (copy attached).

A joint report of the City Surveyor and Director of Markets and Consumer Protection was considered and agreed.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection (copy attached).

A report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection was considered and agreed.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment (copy attached).

A report of the Director of the Built Environment was considered and agreed.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection (copy attached).

A report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection was considered and agreed.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection (copy attached).

A report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection was received.

There were no questions.

The Director of Markets and Consumer Protection updated the Committee on an investigation which was currently taking place at Billingsgate Market.