Agenda item

City Harvest Partnership with New Spitalfields Market

Report of the Interim Director of Consumer Protection and Market Operations.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Interim Director of Consumer Protection and Market Operations setting out options for the City Harvest Charity to redistribute end of life produce thereby reducing food waste.  Officers flagged up the outline City Harvest proposal on pages 13 – 15 of the agenda pack and officers were of the view that if City Harvest did not charge traders for collecting end of life food, it was likely that more surplus produce would be made available from traders to City Harvest.  Officers also highlighted that if the Committee was minded to allow City Harvest to occupy space to operate on the market site, this could result in the loss of potential rental income.

 

Members of the Committee were supportive of the proposals in principle but had a number of reservations and suggestions for further information to include in the follow up report to be presented to the Committee in May 2019.

·          How would this impact on traders operating from the market, had traders been consulted and what was the view of these traders? 

 

·          There were concerns in respect of peppercorn rents as a means of supporting this project rather than charging full rent and providing grants towards rental costs.

 

·          Although the economies of scale were appreciated, there were reservations regarding City Harvest’s monopoly on providing this service.

 

·          What other providers were offering this service and were costs comparable.

 

·          What potential support was available from the City Bridge Trust and could these proposals be shared with the City Bridge Trust.

 

In response to the questions and comments from Committee Members, Officers stated that City Harvest’s charges for collecting end of life produce did not represent a significant saving for market tenants when compared to the cost of self-surrender disposal, and that City Harvest was already working alongside several partners including Centrepoint and St Mungo’s.  The Committee was also advised that City Harvest was currently operating from a depot in Acton and that immediately prior to Christmas 2018, City Harvest had collected produce from Spitalfields Market several times a week.  However, providing facilities on site would allow City Harvest to collect much more produce on a daily basis.

 

RESOLVED

 

(1)     That the report be noted.

(2)     That traders be consulted on the City Harvest proposals as outlined on pages 13 – 16 of the officer report.

(3)     That the views of the City Bridge Trust be sought.

(4)     That the views of City Harvest be sought on the scope for reducing produce collection costs.

 

(5)     That a further report with recommendations be presented to the Committee in May.

 

Supporting documents: