Agenda item

*RESOLVED –

1.   That the fees and charges for the Chesterfield Open Markets for 2024-25, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the officer’s report, be approved.

2.   That the agreed fees and charges be implemented from Monday 1 April 2024.

3.   That as part of the planned market reconfiguration project (part of the Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield programme) a review of the pricing structure be undertaken, following best practice adopted nationally and ensuring a value for money approach is taken to realise the full income potential of the market, the results of which will be used to inform the pricing structure for the new market configuration.

4.   That authority be delegated to the Service Director for Leisure, Culture and Community Wellbeing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Town Centre and Visitor Economy, to apply appropriate negotiated fees for new activities and opportunities that are introduced during the period covered by the report.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS

1.   Supporting the town centre economy is at the heart of our approach and continues to be a key priority for the Council.  It is necessary to sensitively increase stall fees to ensure the cost-effectiveness of the Markets operation in relation to increases being seen in maintenance costs, energy costs and staffing costs.  Prior to the increase in April 2023 there had been no increase in fees and charges since 2016.

2.   As part of the Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield programme, the open market is set to benefit from a £1.5 million intervention. It is anticipated that this will help support, strengthen and re-invigorate the town’s markets.

The Cabinet Member for Town Centres and Visitor Economy presented a report seeking Cabinet approval for increases to the fees and charges for the Chesterfield Open Markets for 2024/25.

In accordance with the Medium-Term Financial Strategy, fees and charges were required to be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure that the costs of providing Council services were ideally recovered.

The proposed fees and charges were based on a robust estimate of the impact of cost increases and demand pressures facing the Markets service, and the Council’s overall financial position.

It was also noted that any review of fees and charges needed to be sensitive to the impact any proposed increases may have on the current trader base, which was fragile and in decline.

The proposed increases were set out in Appendix 1 of the officer’s report.

A review of markets fees and charges in towns similar in size to Chesterfield also indicated that the proposed fees and charges remained realistic and comparable. The outcomes of the benchmarking exercise were detailed at Appendix 2 of the officer’s report.

At the Markets Consultative Committee held on 27 February 2024, the Trader representatives were informed that the Council was looking to introduce a small increase to the current Markets fees and charges, ranging from £1.10 to £3.10 per stall depending on size, location and trading day.  It was reported that there was general acceptance from the Trader representatives of the need for the Council to increase Markets fees and charges from 1 April 2024.

*RESOLVED –

1.   That the fees and charges for the Chesterfield Open Markets for 2024-25, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the officer’s report, be approved.

2.   That the agreed fees and charges be implemented from Monday 1 April 2024.

3.   That as part of the planned market reconfiguration project (part of the Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield programme) a review of the pricing structure be undertaken, following best practice adopted nationally and ensuring a value for money approach is taken to realise the full income potential of the market, the results of which will be used to inform the pricing structure for the new market configuration.

4.   That authority be delegated to the Service Director for Leisure, Culture and Community Wellbeing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Town Centre and Visitor Economy, to apply appropriate negotiated fees for new activities and opportunities that are introduced during the period covered by the report.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS

1.   Supporting the town centre economy is at the heart of our approach and continues to be a key priority for the Council.  It is necessary to sensitively increase stall fees to ensure the cost-effectiveness of the Markets operation in relation to increases being seen in maintenance costs, energy costs and staffing costs.  Prior to the increase in April 2023 there had been no increase in fees and charges since 2016.

2.   As part of the Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield programme, the open market is set to benefit from a £1.5 million intervention. It is anticipated that this will help support, strengthen and re-invigorate the town’s markets.