Agenda item

The Mayor advised that two Motions on Notice had been received for consideration at the meeting.

Outdoor Market

Councillor Joe Baker submitted the following Motion on Notice for Council’s consideration:

“That Council ask Executive to consider the reintroduction of the Outdoor Market, following the Labour group plans which received a large amount of support from the public.”

The Motion was proposed by Councillor Baker and seconded by Councillor Ian Woodall.

In proposing the Motion, Councillor Baker commented that the Labour group had campaigned for the return of an outdoor market in the recent local elections.  It was envisaged that this would involve good quality products being sold at an outdoor market held on a weekly basis in the town.  The market stalls that would be used by market traders would be flat packed and stored in a safe location when not in use.  A weekly outdoor market could also potentially offer more affordable products for sale than some of the themed markets that had taken place in Redditch in recent years.  Local businesses had indicated some interest in operating their own market stalls in an outdoor market and it was suggested that this could therefore help to support the local economy.  Members were asked to note that it would be helpful to employ a market manager to manage the outdoor market to ensure that it operated successfully moving forward.

In seconding the Motion, Councillor Woodall noted that the Federation of Small Businesses had recently highlighted that local shopping had increased since the Covid-19 pandemic.  Increasingly, people liked to buy produce, including food, that was locally sourced, particularly people from the millennial generation and younger people who were keen to reduce their carbon footprint.  It was suggested that an outdoor market would support these shopping preferences.

Members subsequently discussed the Motion in detail and in doing so commented on the following matters:

·             The heritage of Redditch and the history of a market in the town.

·             The successful outdoor markets that operated in neighbouring locations, including Bromsgrove and Stratford-on-Avon and the potential for these arrangements to be replicated in Redditch.

·             The reliance of a successful outdoor market on sufficient footfall.

·             The previous experiences with an outdoor market in Redditch, including management of the outdoor market by an external organisation.

·             The changing shopping habits amongst people both locally and nationally and the implications for the successful operation of weekly outdoor markets.

·             The work of the Redditch Business Improvement District (BID) to attract themed markets and events to the town, including artisan markets and Digbeth Dining events, and the visitors that had attended these markets.

·             The potential for people to develop entrepreneurial skills by operating a market stall.

·             The extent to which themed markets as opposed to weekly markets would attract local stall holders to an outdoor market in Redditch.

·             An online survey conducted by the Redditch Standard in respect of an outdoor market and the outcomes of this consultation exercise.

·             The possible location of an outdoor market in Redditch town centre.

·             The benefits of having events and attractions outside the Kingfisher Shopping Centre to help encourage people to visit the town.

·             The market stalls that would be used for a weekly market and the associated maintenance costs for these stalls.

·             The other events that were held in the town centre, including the carnival and street theatre and the potential for these to continue to take place alongside an outdoor market.

At the end of the debate the vote on the Motion was lost.

Pride Event

Councillor Joanna Kane submitted the following Motion on Notice for Council’s consideration:

·             “That this Council agrees that Redditch’s first community PRIDE event on June 3 was a resounding success; and:

·             That in recognition of their organisational skills and promotion of the town, a formal letter of thanks should be sent to Redditch LGB&TQ Support Services for making it an historic event; and

·             That this Council commits to building on this success by encouraging a wide range of cultural events for the future."

The Motion was proposed by Councillor Kane and seconded by Councillor Juliet Barker Smith.

In proposing the Motion, Councillor Kane commented that 3^rd June 2023 had been a historic day for Redditch as this had been the date when the first Pride event had taken place in the Borough.  The Pride event had been family friendly and inclusive and had been attended by in excess of one thousand people.  There had been lots of community engagement and the event had attracted visitors from outside the Borough.  The Pride event had been organised by the Redditch LGB&TQ Support Services group, which had established a Committee to co-ordinate arrangements.  As the event had been such a success, Councillor Kane proposed that the Council should send a formal letter thanking the Redditch LGB&TQ Support Services group for their hard work.  In addition, Councillor Kane expressed the hope that this event would be followed by other successful cultural events in the Borough celebrating the diversity of the local community.

In seconding the Motion, Councillor Barker Smith commented that she welcomed the cross-party support for the Motion.  Redditch Pride had been the first pride event ever to be held in the Borough and had been a big success.  The Pride event had demonstrated that people were keen to participate in local events and there was therefore the potential to hold further cultural events in the future.

Members subsequently discussed the Motion in detail and in doing so agreed that Redditch Pride had been a very successful event.  There was general consensus that the Redditch LGB&TQ Support Services group had worked very hard to organise the event and deserved recognition for this.  The involvement of people from different backgrounds in organising the event was also welcomed by Members.  Reference was made to LGBTQI+ history and Members commented on progress that had been made in society in recent decades in terms of challenging homophobic and transphobic prejudice and how the Pride event helped to demonstrate this situation.  Members also noted that the Pride event had been invaluable for people from the local LGBTQI+ population, particularly young people who might be learning about their own sexuality and would appreciate guidance and support.

During consideration of this Motion, Members noted that Redditch had a very diverse population and it was suggested that the Council also needed to promote and encourage further cultural activities in the community.  As examples, Members referred to events held in recent years which had celebrated independence for Jamaica and Pakistan respectively.  Members also commented that cultural events could have a beneficial impact on the local economy and it was noted that many of those who had participated in the Pride event had also visited pubs and restaurants whilst they were in the town.

On being put to the vote the Motion was carried.

RESOLVED

·             That this Council agrees that Redditch’s first community PRIDE event on June 3 was a resounding success; and:

·             That in recognition of their organisational skills and promotion of the town, a formal letter of thanks should be sent to Redditch LGB&TQ Support Services for making it an historic event; and

·             That this Council commits to building on this success by encouraging a wide range of cultural events for the future.

(Prior to consideration of the second Motion on Notice, Councillors Joe Baker, Bill Hartnett and Emma Marshall declared other disclosable interests in respect of the subject of the Motion, relating to the recent Redditch Pride event, as they were members of the Redditch LGB&TQ Support Services Committee which organised the Pride event.  They left the room during consideration of this Motion and took no part in the debate nor vote thereon.)