Agenda item

Members asked the following questions:

‘Following the less than flattering documentary shown on BBC2 TV entitled, ‘The Meat Market: Inside Smithfield’, with one former employee describing the Butchers as ‘Neanderthal’ and the newspaper reviews summed up by ‘Butchers past their sell-by date’; will the Chairman be seeking a response from the Smithfield Markets Tenants’ Association as to what action the Tenants are taking to adjust to the laws and customs of the modern working world?’

The Director of Markets and Consumer Protection advised that the decision to go ahead with filming had been taken, by himself, the Director of PR and the Head of News in October 2011 after consultation with the three Tenants’ Associations.  The Committee had been notified in periodic reports.

The Tenants’ Associations had worked with the production team and received a fee, as had the City of London Corporation.  However, Members noted that the BBC had refused to relinquish editorial control.

Members were aware that there had been a mixed reaction to the programmes, which had attracted significant viewing figures.  Reviews had ranged from fascinating and insightful to compelling but some Members felt that the programmes were poor and unhelpful to the City of London Corporation.  Some Members alleged that, while the programmes may have been good entertainment, some positive aspects of life at the Markets had been under-played and others, which were less so, had been distorted or exaggerated.  In concluding, the Chairman suggested, and Members agreed, that it would not be helpful to pursue this further. 

Has the Fishmongers’ Company pulled out of the Billingsgate Market Inspection Regime?

Despite Tenants’ refusal to make a contribution towards the Fishmongers Company’s costs, inspections were continuing but the number of Inspectors had reduced from 3 to 2.  Members noted that two of the Fishmongers Company Inspectors were based permanently at Billingsgate and that the statutory responsibility for Inspections at Billingsgate rested with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

Can Members please have an update on transport arrangements around Spitalfields during the Olympics?

TfL had granted a concession to allow 400 trucks per night before midnight to access Spitalfields from the A12 slip road, which had previously been prevented by the ORN restrictions.  There was more police activity in the area to ensure that traffic flowed as smoothly as possible.  Members noted that the traffic restrictions would be in force for 2 days either side of the Olympics and Paralympics and not the entire 9 week period.  ‘Scoot loops’ would be fitted at the market entrance to enable the Traffic Authority to control the traffic lights to prevent a build-up of traffic congestion within the market.