Issue - meetings

Report number:     CAB/WS/22/037

Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Cllr Ian Shipp

Portfolio holder: Councillors Susan Glossop and Peter Stevens

Lead officers: Julie Baird and Mark Walsh

Resolved:

That the proposed recommendations emanating from the Markets Review, as contained in Appendix A to Report number: CAB/WS/22/037, be approved.

The Cabinet considered this report, which sought approval for the final recommendations that resulted from the review of West Suffolk Council markets.

The purpose behind the Markets Review was to look at the strategic role of West Suffolk Council, aligning the operation of the markets to the Council’s strategic vision and supporting their development to meet the corporate priorities.

The Markets Review Working Group (MRWG), which had been appointed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had made its recommendations to the Committee, who in turn recommended they be approved by Cabinet.

Councillor Ian Shipp, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, summarised the outcomes of the review to Cabinet and drew attention to the recommendations at Appendix A. These were set out in a form of an action plan, which provided the opportunity to address each recommendation in turn and enabled progress to be monitored. It was noted that the MRWG had not reached any conclusions that would suggest a fundamental changes in the way the markets in West Suffolk were configured or operated.

Councillor Shipp added that whilst it was recognised that market traders had and were still experiencing challenging times; however, it was felt that these were no more significant than those being faced by other high street traders.  

Councillor Susan Glossop, Portfolio Holder for Growth, acknowledged the outcomes of the review and stated that some of the work emanating from the recommendations had already begun. She placed her thanks on record to officers involved with the operation and promotion of the markets.

Councillor Peter Stevens, Portfolio Holder for Operations, also acknowledged the findings of the review and placed his thanks on record to the Operations’ waste management teams responsible for ensuring the streets remained clear of waste and debris in the areas operated by the markets.

Councillor Robert Everitt, Portfolio Holder for Families and Communities, congratulated regional winners taking part in the National Market Traders Federation’s (NMTF) national Young Trader of the Year competition. Hosted in Bury St Edmunds for the first ever East of England finals, the winners would now go on to represent the eastern region in the national finals later in July 2022.

Resolved:

That the proposed recommendations emanating from the Markets Review, as contained in Appendix A to Report number: CAB/WS/22/037, be approved.

(Councillor Ian Shipp left the meeting at the conclusion of this item.)