Agenda item

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the Board’s Inquiry to consider the future of Kirkgate Market.

 

Referring to Minute 85 of the meeting held on 7^th December 2010, the Acting Director of City Development submitted a report on the second session of the Board’s Inquiry to Consider the Future of Kirkgate Market.

 

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

 

·  Extract from Valuation Office Agency Report (Appendix 1 refers)

·  Background information regarding building condition surveys (Appendix 2 refers)

·  Service chargeable and non service chargeable costs (Appendix 3 refers)

·  Breakdown of 2010/Service Charge (Appendix 4 refers)

 

In addition to the above appendices, copies of the following documents were also submitted as supplementary information:-

 

·  Towards a Strategy for Kirkgate Market: evidence base

(Appendix 5 refers)

·  Friends of Leeds Kirkgate Market – Submission to City Development Scrutiny Board ‘Market Inquiry’ – 11^th January 2010

 

The following representatives/witnesses were in attendance and gave evidence to the Board and responded to Board Members’ queries and comments:-

 

Martin Farrington, Acting Director of City Development

Paul Stephens, Chief Economic Development Officer, City Development

CathFollin, Head of City Centre and Markets, City Development

Joe Williams, National Market Traders' Federation (NMTF) (Kirkgate Branch)

Liz Laughton, National Market Traders' Federation (NMTF) (Kirkgate Branch)

Michele Hocken, National Market Traders' Federation (NMTF) (Kirkgate Branch)

Lacky Singh, National Market Traders' Federation (NMTF) (Kirkgate Branch)

John Perriton, National Market Traders’ Federation (NMTF)

Alan Wheeldon, Friends of Kirkgate Market

 

The Chair referred to a recent report entitled ‘Towards a Market Strategy for Kirkgate Market’ which had been presented to the Executive Board meeting on 15^th December 2010. On behalf of the meeting, he raised the dissatisfaction of Board Members that officers had not referred to the existence of this report at the last Board meeting. He also highlighted the fact that the department’s report to Executive Board made no reference to this Board’s inquiry and that the Executive Board had already taken a decision to freeze market rents.

 

The Chair then invited the Chief Economic Development Officer and the Head of City Centre and Markets to give a brief introduction on the following key points referred to in the report :-

 

·  Rent Review

·  Condition surveys

·  Service Charges

·  Stall lettings policy

·  Management of Ownership models

·  The Association of British Market Authorities

 

 

Following this, the Chair then allowed Joe Williams, National Market Traders’ Federation (NMTF) (Kirkgate Branch) to comment on a new strategy for Kirkgate Market.

 

In her presentation, she referred to the main points of concern identified in the document entitled ‘Friends of Leeds Kirkgate Market – Submission to City Development Scrutiny Board ‘Market Inquiry’ – 11^th January 2010’.

 

The Board specifically noted that elements of the Market buildings were in a poor condition and that immediate investment of £1.8m was needed for work in the next two years.

 

In concluding, she requested Board Members to note the points of concern.

 

At the request of the Chair, the Acting Director of City Development  responded to the individual comments made. He informed the meeting that the department was keen to go through a consultation process on the future of the market with the aim of exploring management and ownership models with market traders and other stakeholders. He also welcomed the views of Board Members in further exploring the delivery of a long term sustainable strategy.

 

Board Members then questioned officers and witnesses on the main points.

 

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues raised by Friends of Kirkgate Market:-

 

·  the concerns raised about the consultation process to date and the need for Elected Members and traders to be engaged with that process. It was pointed out that Members of the Scrutiny Board had not seen the consultation document which had been circulated to traders

·  that there was an urgent need for progress on developing a strategy for the market

·  clarification of the figure of £2.4m in relation to backlog maintenance

·  the concerns raised that no progress had been made in developing a market strategy since the Scrutiny Board’s initial visit to the market in August 2010

·  a view that a Markets Committee should be developed to manage the market

·  the concerns raised that the report today failed to address the parking issues around the market as this was an essential element for the market’s future

(The Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser reminded the meeting that a report on parking issues in the Eastgate Development would be  considered at the next meeting in February 2011)

·  clarification of the views of market traders as to whether or not it was an important factor for the Council to be involved in the future of the market

(A representative from the National Market Traders' Federation (NMTF) (Kirkgate Branch) responded and commented that in their view the Council should be involved as the landlord with market traders leading on its day to day operation)

·  the need for a further report that expands the current management and ownership models that were detailed in today’s report and for the Acting Director of City Development to consult with traders on their preferred model for consideration at the next Board meeting in February

(The Acting Director of City Development stated that he would come back to the Chair if this timescale was not achievable)

·  the need for the department to be more open and transparent with traders concerning issues around service charges and structural reports

 

The Chair then allowed further representation from Michelle Hocken  and Lacky Singh, National Market Traders' Federation (NMTF) (Kirkgate Branch); Liz Laughton, National Market Traders' Federation (NMTF) (Kirkgate Branch; John Perriton, National Market Traders’ Federation (NMTF) and Alan Wheeldon, Friends of Kirkgate Market.

 

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues made by the National Market Traders Federation:-

 

·  the concerns expressed about the lack of up to date information contained in management reports

·  the need for officers to prioritise  works needed to the building in consultation with the traders

·  the need for the building survey/ structural details to be made public

(The Head of City Centre and Markets, City Development responded and agreed to forward a copy of the relevant documents to market traders by 14^th January 2011)

·  that a detailed breakdown of service charges income and expenditure should be made accessible to traders on a daily basis 

·  an offer by a representative of NMTF to provide a copy of a Market private partnership survey

(The Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser agreed to follow up this issue with Friends of Kirkgate Market representative)

 

In concluding, the Chair, on behalf of the Board, thanked officers and witnesses for their attendance and contribution to the Inquiry.

 

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That the Acting Director of City Development expands the current management and ownership models that were detailed in today’s report and that he consult with traders on their preferred model for consideration at the next Board meeting on 8th February 2010

c)  That the parking issues and provision in the Eastgate Development be also incorporated within that report.

d)  That the relevant issues identified at today’s meeting be incorporated in to the Board’s draft final report and recommendations on the future of  Kirkgate Market.

 

(Councillor M Rafique left the meeting at 1.15pm during discussions of the above item)

 

(Councillor M Lobley left the meeting at 1.50pm during discussions of the above item)

 

(Councillors G Harper and J Elliott left the meeting at 2.05pm at the conclusion of the above item)