Agenda item

To consider the enclosed report setting out the results of informal market testing for the future operation of the outdoor market.

The Committee considered a report on the future management of Redditch Outdoor Market.  Members also considered with the report the minute and recommendation of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s meeting on 7th July 2015, which had been circulated as Additional Papers, in relation to the pre-scrutiny of this report.

Officers presented the report, which was seeking authority to undertake a procurement process in order to select an external provider for future management of the market.   Whilst the proposal was to seek to appoint an external contractor to manage the market, the management of that contract would still be undertaken by North Worcestershire Economic Development and Regeneration (NWedr) and the contract would be between Redditch Borough Council, Wyre Forest District Council (as host authority for the NWedr Shared Service) and the contractor.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning, Regeneration, Economy and Transport spoke on the process and advised that a briefing meeting had taken place the previous week with market traders.  He explained that, following on from recommendations which had been brought forward on the market following a cross-party Overview and Scrutiny Task Group investigation carried out in 2013/14, the aim was to create a more vibrant market and to build/improve upon the current running of the market in order to increase its popularity. 

No decisions had been made at this stage as to how the Market would operate in the future, including the number of trading days.  This would be dependent on responses received from interested parties as part of the procurement process.  Members noted the contents of two letters which had been sent to the Executive Committee from market traders’ representatives.  The possibility referred to in one of the letters of the market traders running the market as a co-operative was welcomed by Members as part of the tendering process. 

Members considered the three Delivery Options detailed in the report and agreed that Option 3, involving private management and operation of the market, was the preferred option.  The operator paying the Council an annual fee during the contract period for the right to operate the market provided a guaranteed income for the Council, and this option should see improved diversity and vibrancy of the market and town centre.

Whilst all Members agreed that it would be in the best interests of the market for this to be managed and operated by an external provider, some Members felt that the public should be consulted in this regard.  An amendment was moved to include such consultation.  The amendment was not supported as it was noted that public consultation had been carried out as part of the original Overview and Scrutiny investigation, in addition to which the public could also make known their views whilst the process continued over the months ahead.

RESOLVED that

1)        authority be given to undertake a procurement process in order to select an external provider in respect of the management of Redditch Outdoor Market for an initial term of 5 years with an option to renew for a further term of between 2 and 5 years;

2)        the delegation in relation to the direct management of the market contained in the Collaboration Agreement relating to the provision of Economic Development and Regeneration Services be amended to reflect the decision at 1);

3)        the conduct of a procurement and contracting process to select and appoint a contractor to manage Redditch Outdoor Market be delegated to Wyre Forest District Council, in consultation with the Chief Executive and the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Regeneration, Economy and Transport;

4)        delegated authority be granted to the Head of Legal, Equalities and Democratic Services to amend the Collaboration Agreement referred to at 2); and

5)        the representations/issues and the proposed response of two letters sent to the Executive Committee be noted.