Agenda and minutes

It was proposed and seconded that Councillor G Perham be appointed Chair of the Market Sub-Committee for 2022-2023.  There were no further nominations.

RESOLVED to appoint Councillor Perham Chair of the Markets Sub Committee for the year 2022-2023.

It was proposed and seconded that Councillor M Freeman be appointed Vice-Chair of the Market Sub-Committee for 2022-2023.  There were no further nominations.

RESOLVED to appoint Councillor Freeman Vice-Chair of the Market Sub Committee for 2022-2023.

Schedule 12 of the Local Government Act 1972 requires a record be kept of the Members present and that this record form part of the minutes of the meeting. Members who cannot attend a meeting should tender apologies to the Town Clerk.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Carberry and Bethany Holttum, Service Support Officer.

(i)    Under the Localism Act 2011 (sections 26-37 and Schedule 4) and in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, Members are required to declare any interests which are not currently entered in the Member’s Register of Interests or if he/she has not notified the Monitoring Officer of it.

(ii)   Should any Member have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in an item on the agenda, the Member may not participate in consideration of that item unless a Dispensation has first been requested (in writing) and granted by the Council (see Dispensation Procedure).

No declarations were made and no dispensations were requested.

To receive questions and statements from members of the public in respect of any item of business included in the agenda, as provided for in Standing Order No.s 3(e) (f) and 3(g) (h).

There were no questions from the public.

(a)       To receive and approve as a correct record the minutes of the Market Sub- Committee meeting held on 24 February 2022 (attached).

  (b) To receive information updates on matters arising from the previous   meeting (if appropriate).

(a)          The Sub-Committee received the draft minutes of the previous meeting, held on 24 February 2022 for consideration.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Markets Sub-Committee meeting held on 24 February 2022 be approved as a correct record and were signed accordingly.

(b)     No updates were given.

To receive a report and consider the recommendations therein (attached)

The Sub-Committee received a general market update report and appendix for consideration.  These included updates on delivery of activity, pitch usage, social media communications, planned visiting markets and general updates. 

Social media posts were now being ‘boosted’ more frequently to reach a wider audience and publicise events such as the Easter Event and visiting markets like Street Food Heroes, France at Home and Vegan Markets. 

The recent change in traffic management in the High Street led to a period of a 4-week gap between the end of the original traffic regulation order and implementation of the new 18-month order. To ensure the safety of traders and the public, security services were used to manage entry/exit to the market area.

Concerns were raised regarding the storage of rubbish by the Market Cross and the pollution created by the ice-cream van vendor.  It was agreed the problem with the rubbish could be addressed immediately. The problem of pollution from the ice-cream van would be monitored in the first instance. The van was placed away from stalls, when possible, to limit the impact of noise and pollution for other traders. Officers agreed to monitor the situation and explore solutions.

The Sub-Committee noted that attendance at the Tuesday market had not recovered as well after Covid and a suggestion was made to invite community groups into the market through the Chatty Café, Baptist Church and other community groups. 

Also a suggestion was made to advertise speciality markets and market events on the electronic signs a few days before  the event (so only the market event would be displayed at that time) and posters to displayed in the Town Council noticeboards at various locations around the town.

A further concern was raised regarding the buses and access to the High Street on Market Days for bus users.  It was suggested that buses could be allowed to access the bus bay at the bottom of the High Street to safely drop off/pick up passengers. 

RESOLVED to request that Central Bedfordshire Council consider using Church Square at the bottom of the High Street in Leighton Buzzard as a bus stop on market days.

 RESOLVED to note the report.

To receive a report and consider the recommendations therein (attached)

The Sub-Committee received a report on the planned 2022 Celebration Activities which included the 10^th anniversary of Leighton-Linslade Town Council taking over the running of the Charter Market, the Platinum Jubilee weekend and Love Your Local Market annual campaign.  It was hoped that plenty of valuable publicity would be gained from these events to celebrate the success of the market.

On Tuesday 31^st May, the 10^th Anniversary would be attended by National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA) officials, with the Town Crier attending and cooking demonstrations.  On Saturday 4^th June the National Market Traders Federation officers would attend to help judge a local heat for the Young Market Trader of the Year with 6 traders taking part.

During the Jubilee weekend a Queen Elizabeth II lookalike would be visiting the market with a corgi in attendance.  There would be photo opportunities for members of the public with her and Ukie-Toones, a local ukulele group would be playing a varied selection of music.

Love Your Local Market fortnight would be taking place during this time and we would support LYLM with bunting and social media posts.

RESOLVED to note the report.

To receive a report and consider the recommendations therein (attached)

The Sub-Committee received a report to consider the concerns raised about seasonal traders and to consider ways of managing the situation and charging practices.

The current charging structure allowed permanent traders to trade for £19 per pitch with casual traders charged at £23 per pitch.  Concerns were raised regarding seasonal traders who only attended for a limited time, for example at Christmas or Easter and should they be charged at a higher rate.  There were concerns raised that if a premium rate was charged for Christmas seasonal traders it could discourage them trading at Leighton Buzzard and they might look for an alternative market.  Officers advised of the current approach towards managing this concern. 

 After discussions members agreed this would be unpractical to administer as it would be difficult to ascertain who was a seasonal trader or just a casual trader.

RESOLVED

(a)         To note the report

(b)         To maintain the present management activities for seasonal  traders.

To receive a report detailing end of financial year 2021/22 income and expenditure and consider the recommendations therein (attached)

The Sub-Committee received a budget report and it was noted that as the country continued to recover from the pandemic the performance of the market also continued to improve attracting new traders and the return of visiting markets to the town.  The new ETRO secured a safe space for market operations and the expenditure on security to man the barrier was not now required.

The Sub-Committee wanted to give their thanks for the Head of Cultural & Economic Services for her leadership of the Market Team and the continued success of the market through some challenging times.   

RESOLVED to note the report.