Agenda item

The Neighbourhood Development Officer presented the report as set out in the agenda.  She reiterated to members the purpose of the report and informed members that despite a great deal of effort it had become clear a more dedicated and experienced team was necessary to manage the Yeovil Street Markets. 

She gave details of the tendering process undertaken to appoint an external partner to take on the management of the markets and following a thorough process MSD Markets had been offered the opportunity to work along SSDC officers and draft a Service Level Agreement (SLA) for the future operation of Yeovil street markets.

The Neighbourhood Development Officer also explained it was pertinent to make changes to the associated annual budgets and therefore agreement from the Area South Committee was required to support the financial changes as outlined in the report to be taken to DX in the January.

During the ensuing discussion, the Neighbourhood Development Officer and Area Development Lead responded to questions explaining that:

·         A great deal of effort had been done to try and improve the current market. However all avenues have been exhausted and believed this agreement to be the best way forward for the future of the markets.

·         MSD markets gave a detailed presentation to the interview panel who were very impressed with their knowledge of running markets, experience of working closely with communities and key stakeholders and the research undertaken of the area and its rural environment.

·         Clarified the current financial arrangements of the market including the annual budget and the income target. Acknowledged that if no action taken the declining income would result in the market ceasing to trade.  The external operator be given a fee free period of approximately 12 months until they are successfully established due to associated setting up costs.  

·         Appreciated concern regarding the risk of the long term sustainability and performance measures of the markets, however believe this to be the way forward and assuming the operator to be successful a future income stream can be established and a new income target assigned.

·         Agreed that a six month interim report be brought back to Area South Committee to keep members informed of the current position of the Yeovil Markets.

Following a short debate, members expressed concern with offering any initial savings from the annual budget as highlighted in the recommendation at the second bullet point as set out in the agenda report and instead wished to recommend that the total annual budget be retained until the new operator is successfully established.

It was then proposed and subsequently seconded to amend the second bullet point as set out under the suggested budget changes to be outlined in a report to the DX committee in January 2018 to read as follows:

‘To retain the total annual budget of £23,190 until the new operator is successfully established’.

On being put to the vote was carried unanimously. 

It was then proposed and seconded to approve the recommendations as set out in the agenda report subject to the amendment to the second bullet point as raised during discussion.  On being put to the voted this was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:

1.    That members noted the report.

2.    Members approved delegated responsibility in all matters relating to the service level agreement (SLA) to the Market Improvement Group and Area South Development Officers. 

3.    Members supported the future financial arrangements outlined in this report which will be presented to the District Executive Committee (DX) in January 2018.

(For clarity the second bullet point will read: ‘To retain the total annual budget of £23,190 until the new operator is successfully established’).

(voting: unanimous)