Issue - meetings

The Executive Member for Economic Development submitted a report outlining options for the future management of the market service.  The Environmental Inspection Team Manager provided a summary of the report.

In response to a question from Councillor P Ruffles, the Environmental Team Inspection Manager explained what might happen if one town wished to manage itself and another did not.  Councillor N Symonds explained how well the process worked with regard to Bishop’s Stortford market and the freedom it had to hold a variety of different promotional events.  Councillor M Pope expressed concern regarding Ware Town Council’s ability to manage its own market and issues associated with funding and staffing.  The Environmental Team Inspection Manager explained that these issues would be reviewed carefully so that informed decisions could be made.

In response to a query from Councillor I Devonshire, the Environmental Team Inspection Manager explained why the markets services were operating at a deficit.

The Committee approved the report, as now submitted.

RESOLVED – that (A) Town Councils be approached to negotiate a way forward to manage the markets in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertford and Ware as detailed in the report; and

(B)   the feasibility of transferring the rights to licence other markets in the District to Town Councils be investigated.