Issue - meetings

The Committee heard from the Assistant Director – People and Democratic Services regarding a proposal to amend the fee charged to traders at Gainsborough Market, on a Tuesday or Saturday, where 20 or more stalls were used. It was explained that the Council had in place a Corporate Fees, Charges and Concessions document and as was good practice, this was reviewed which included a robust exercise involving Team Managers and the Finance business partners. Those corporate fees and charges were set by Full Council but were subject to continuous monitoring throughout the year.

It was noted that at the Full Council meeting in March, the revised fee for market stalls was approved and was put in place from 30 March 2024. The market was subject to a comprehensive review and there was an established Markets Working Group which considered ways of developing the markets offer further. Currently, there was a discount for market traders who brought more than 25 stalls to the market, which meant they paid £7.50 per stall. It was explained that the report was seeking two elements. Firstly, acknowledgment from the Committee of the resolution of Full Council on 4 March 2024 to approve the fees and charges presented at that time, and secondly, approval to revise the concession and approve the revised fee of £7.50, where market traders brought 20 or more stalls.

Members of the Committee indicated their support for the proposal, and in response to an enquiry regarding markets at Market Rasen and Caistor, a Member of the Committee raised a Point of Information in that those markets were run by the Town Councils, unlike in Gainsborough where it was run by the District Council.

The premise of encouraging more traders to the Gainsborough markets on Tuesdays and Saturdays was welcomed, with anecdotal evidence suggesting existing traders and local businesses had noticed an increase in footfall on the Saturday markets where there had been more stalls and traders.

The recommendations contained within the report were duly proposed and seconded and, on taking the vote, it was

            RESOLVED that

a)    the resolution of Full Council on 4 March 2024 (resolution (g) within minute number 71) to approve the fees and charges presented at that time be acknowledged by the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee; and

b)    a revised fee (within Markets) of £7.50 where a market trader brought 20 or more stalls to the Gainsborough market on either a Tuesday or Saturday, be approved, replacing the fee previously approved.