Agenda item

Minutes:

Members gave consideration to a report which sought agreement to the future delivery method for Gainsborough Market.

 

In September 2017, Prosperous Communities Committee resolved to adopt a Vision and some Objectives for the future delivery of Gainsborough Market.

 

In December 2017, Prosperous Communities Committee RESOLVED that: -

 

(a)        Officers be tasked to procure a partner organisation and/or market operator to run markets in the market Square in Gainsborough on behalf of the Council.  The operation of the markets by a partner or other organisation should adhere to the vision and objectives for the market agreed by the Committee at its meeting on 12 September 2017.  Any agreement for a third party to run markets in the Market Square in Gainsborough should enable the Council to control the form, frequency and type of market operated, including a break clause which would allow the Council to take back control of the market in appropriate circumstances; and

 

(b)       In recognition that any procurement process designed to achieve recommendation 1 above would take time to complete, and that there is an urgent need to develop and improve the Markets in Gainsborough, Officers are tasked to implement the improvements associated with Option A, in-house delivery, immediately as set out in section 5 of the report and the business plan (appendix 1 of the report), including the development and implementation of a “Promotion and Events Strategy” using the in-house communications resource.

 

Officers updated the Committee in terms of progress achieved against both resolution (a) and (b) above.  As a result a Member workshop held been held in November 2018 to again consider possible ways forward in light of the issues identified in trying to deliver resolution (a).  Arising from the views expressed at the workshop Officers had put forward two options for consideration.

 

Lengthy discussion ensued during which Members shared their views on each of the tabled options. 

 

Whilst some supported the involvement of Marshall’s Yard, others expressed concern that the scope was not wide enough and the existing business would see no benefit from the proposed approach.  It was also suggested there could be a conflict of interest, however others saw this as a common interest as opposed to conflict.  Option 2 would allow the Council to assist not only Traders, but also existing businesses and to be in a position to tailor any support to suit the Council’s needs.  Others were of the view that Marshall’s Yard had a proven track record of delivery, had expertise in marketing and the option clearly delivered some direct costs saving, with any risk of being “out of pocket” transferred.  Option 2 could be costly to the Council if it did not succeed.

 

There were differing views as to the level of involvement the Town Council should have, however all were in agreement that they did need to be engaged.

 

Following much discussion regarding the costs, risks and benefits associated with each Option, Option 1 was proposed and seconded.

 

A Member suggested that any agreement to negotiate, as detailed in Option1, should be held within a maximum and minimum limit, suggesting a £5k variance.

 

In light of the comments and concerns raised Councillor Reg Shore proposed the following amendment to Option 1, namely that the words “ whilst seeking to employ their (Marshall’s Yard) marketing skills and imagination to assist the business already in existence in the market place and struggling”

 

This was duly seconded, but on being put to the vote Councillor Shore indicated he wished to withdraw the amendment.

 

Having been proposed earlier in the meeting it was duly seconded that any negotiations referred to in Option1 be held within a £5k tolerance of both the upper and lower limit.

 

On being put to the vote the amendment was carried and Option 1, as amended, was then proposed and seconded.

 

It was moved and seconded that any vote taken on the matter be by way of recorded vote.

 

Having been proposed and seconded earlier in the meeting, the motion was then put to a recorded vote.

 

Votes were cast as set out below:

 

For: - Cllrs, Bibb, Bardsley, Bierley, J McNeill, Devine, Howitt-Cowan, Patterson, Smith

 

Against: - Cllrs Darcel, Rollings, Shore

 

Abstain: - None

 

With the majority of Councillors voting in favour of the motion (8), the motion was declared CARRIED and therefore it was RESOLVED that:

 

(a)          the Council work with Marshall’s Yard with a view to moving the existing Farmers and Craft Markets out of Marshall’s Yard and into the Town Centre. Marshall’s Yard be requested to continue to provide marketing, communications and event planning for the markets including a summer event and a Xmas event.

 

Such arrangement to be in place for an initial one year period at a cost of £30-35k, subject to ongoing negotiations.  Any variation to this amount (within a 5k tolerance of both the upper and lower limits.) be agreed jointly by the Chairmen of Prosperous Communities and Corporate Policy and Resources Committees;

 

(b)          a Town Centre Task Force Board consisting of Officers and Members for WLDC and the Town Council be established; and

 

(c)          Gainsborough Town Council be engaged and urged to contribute to the new revenue costs of any proposed changes.