Minutes for Local Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Developing a Dynamic Local Economy) meeting, Oct 30 2009, 10.00AM official page

Apologies for absence, submitted at the meeting on behalf of Councillors Benson, Phelps and Sharp and Mrs J Haigh, were accepted.

Resolved – That the Minutes of the meeting of the Local Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 16 September 2009 be approved as a correct record.

 

Members are reminded of the requirement to make an appropriate verbal declaration at the meeting on any item(s) on this agenda in which they have an interest.  Having done so, Members are asked to complete a form detailing the declaration, which will be available from the Committee Services Officer at the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

Matt Isherwood, Senior Project Officer, and Merrill Diplock, will be in attendance for this item.

M Diplock, Principal Officer, Markets and Major Events, attended the meeting to respond to Member questions on the current situation regarding the implementation of Overview and Scrutiny recommendations arising from the 2007 inquiry report on Wakefield’s Markets.

Members asked a number of questions, including:

Q.  How do the public complain or comment about markets – do all market sites have news boards?

A.  Market Officers have comment forms, as do markets offices and these can be used by traders and the public to comment about market issues.  With regard to news boards, Ms Diplock agreed to investigate and respond direct to Members.  Members views on the lack of market notice space were also noted, as were difficulties in getting to Market Offices that were not easily accessed.

Q.  What was being done to provide parking and ‘barrowing up’ facilities for market traders?

A.  This was a car parks service issue and Officers agreed to liaise further with colleagues about this.

Q.  What was done with the minutes taken at Market Liaison Committees?  Were they available and advertised to traders and were copies kept for future reference?

A.  Copies were kept electronically and action points from them were used by Officers to improve the service.  Copies would be made available to Members if required.

Q.  Specialty food markets in Wakefield were no longer being held on the precinct but now based along Union Street, adjacent to the new market hall.  Comments had been made about traffic fumes and the smaller numbers of specialist stalls.  How would these matters be addressed?

A.  Research had shown that both the specialist food and permanent market benefitted if co-located.  It had therefore been decided to hold the specialist markets adjacent to the Market Hall permanently.  The take up of specialist stalls at the last farmer’s market was 100%.  It was pointed out some stalls at the previous farmers’ market had been non-food craft stalls.  The Markets Officer was investigating the possibility of future craft fairs.

Q.  What was being done about the problems with the stalls at Castleford.

A.  A new stronger, canvas awning had been developed by the suppliers and would be tested at Castleford and, if successful, new awnings would be purchased at a discount.  In light of Members’ comments regarding repairs or replacement of structures if required, M Diplock would investigate whether the stall structures were covered by guarantee

Q.  What was being done to address the issues arising from erecting Pontefract Market stalls on Friday evening?  These stalls created a bottleneck at the exit to Pontefract’s largest nightclub.

A.  M Diplock advised that staffing levels made it impossible to erect all the district’s Saturday markets on Saturday morning.  However a trial would take place to erect the six stalls directly outside the club entrance on Saturday, whilst still erecting the rest of the market the evening before.

Q.  It was noted that a rent review was being considered.  Members expressed the view that in the present economic climate, to raise rents would cause serious problems to traders.  What incentives were being offered to existing traders?

A.  The review was in progress and no decision had been taken regarding rents.  Incentives were still available for traders (e.g. discounts on renting a second stall) and consideration was being given to holding a Market Trader of the Year competition. 

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer explained that a forthcoming Market Strategy offered the opportunity for the Committee to be fully involved in the consultation.  In view of this it was proposed that the present inquiry into Markets be closed.

The Chair and Members thanked Officers for the full information supplied to the Committee.

Resolved – That the responses received be accepted and the Markets Inquiry of 2007 be closed.  The Committee’s views on the provision and development of markets throughout the district would be reflected in involvement in the drafting of the forthcoming Markets Strategy.

Matt Isherwood, Senior Project Officer, and Merrill Diplock, will be in attendance for this item.

M Isherwood, Senior Project Manager, detailed progress to date regarding the re-opening of the Food Hall and improvements to the indoor and outdoor market at Wakefield.  He outlined the project plan, and plans and artists impression of proposed improvements were circulated.  Consultation had taken place with traders, existing and potential, and also the public. 

It was hoped that the Food Hall would re-open in March 2010, but it was noted that progress was slightly behind schedule.  A number of issues regarding the layout of the indoor and outdoor markets were being addressed and interior and exterior signs were to be improved as was the decoration of the market hall.

Members expressed disappointment that the Food Hall would not be open in time for Christmas but were pleased overall that views had been taken account of and that improvements were being made to the building and its layout.

Resolved – That the information supplied regarding progress made to re-open the Food Hall and to improve the indoor and outdoor markets at Wakefield, be noted.

Simon Law, Group Engineer, will be in attendance for this item.

S Law, Group Engineer, Highway Network Management, presented a report on the extent of roadworks in the district.  He reported that over the period since reporting began the utility companies had become more aware of the impact of roadworks and that they were being carried out with less disruption.  Members raised issues with regard to temporary and permanent roadworks re-instatements.  S Law explained that there was presently a Government consultation document out covering issues, including re-instatement, smarter working and other aspects of highway maintenance and Utility requirements and he suggested that the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee could be included in Wakefield Council’s response.  The Chair also asked that representatives of a utility contractor be invited to a future meeting.

Resolved – 1.  That the information supplied be noted,

1. That the Committee continue to get updates on Roadworks throughout the Wakefield district, and
2. That the Overview and Scrutiny Officer investigate the feasibility of a utility contractor being invited to attend a future meeting.

Could Members please bring their copy of the latest Forward Plan to the meeting please.

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer drew Members attention to matters on the Forward Plan of Key Decisions 1 November 2009 and 28 February 2010, which had relevance to the remit of the Local Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  Particular attention was drawn to the items regarding the Rural Strategy Report and the Highway Design Code.

Resolved – That the items contained in the Forward Plan of Key Decisions be noted and that reports on the Rural Strategy Report and the Highway Design Code be submitted to future meetings for consideration by Committee.

The next meeting will be held at 10.00 am on Wednesday 18 November 2009 in the Old Restaurant, Town Hall, Wakefield.

Resolved – That the next meeting of the Local Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday 18 November 2009 in the Old Restaurant, Town Hall, Wakefield.