Agenda item

Report of the Markets Director.

The Board considered a report of the Markets Director which presented, for approval, the high-level Business Plan for the City Surveyor’s Department (Markets Division) for 2024/25.

Members noted the focus on health and safety,  tenant engagement, maintenance, data, security, admin and finance, in order to achieve best practice across all sites, together with the Market Co-Location Programme and the forthcoming Parliamentary Bill.  The Chairman commended an excellent plan and Members noted the aspiration for the new Market to be international.  Members noted the current programme for the MCP; i.e. - Royal Assent April – 2025; spade in the ground Q3 2026; construction completed by end of Q4 2028 and tenants to move in at the end of 2028-early 2029.

The Director provided feedback on the recent staff and tenants surveys.  Members noted that there is also an Annual City Corporation-wide staff survey, with a smaller one for the Markets Division staff.   Post the Target Operating Model (TOM), there was a strong performance culture but the Director has reflected on this to promote staff wellbeing and welfare.   There are now ‘Wellbeing Champions’, who meet regularly and provide standing updates on leadership and team meeting agendas.  Whilst the Director has an open door policy, the  champions promote peer support.  The Wellbeing Champions have also compiled their own survey, with a 40% response rate, and several themes are starting to emerge for consideration.  The City Surveyor confirmed that he is very supportive of this initiative and keen to roll it out across the Department.   

The Director further reported on the success of the tenants survey in setting priorities across the areas referred to above.  The survey received a  positive response last year and the Director hopes for a higher response rate this year, as confidence builds in respect of actions and suggestions being followed up.

RESOLVED, that:

i.          The factors taken into consideration in compiling the Markets Business Plan be noted; and

ii.         the Departmental Business Plan be approved, noting the comments set out above.