To receive questions from members of the public in accordance with Standing Order No. 12.
Question submitted by Luke Povey:
We understand from the Assistant Director that Quarterbridge were chosen because they were the cheapest option. This was amongst other reasons. In choosing a cheap option, you also chose a company that specialises in clearing market spaces. They replace failed markets with entertainment spaces. Chesterfield does not have a failed market. There are problems, there are days on which the market does not work and it is empty. But Quarterbridge start from the wrong assumptions. Does the Council now accept that the Vision document which was badly drafted by Quarterbridge distorted the consultation? It has given everyone the impression that this opportunity has become a risk rather than an investment in our 856 year old weekly market. Do you agree that Quarterbridge has failed us?
Question submitted by Jackie Youle:
I’m a regular trader in Chesterfield on Thursday's, Saturday's and Monday's and I hold a contract with the council. On that contract is my phone number, my email and my address. Despite this I first heard about the plans via a Social Media post saying to go to the Market Hall to see four pages of the Quarterbridge report. (Many aspects of which have since been withdrawn or slated by officers). When will the Council have the honesty and decency to write to every contract holder showing them the full 57 page report that it later emerged existed? The portfolio holder seems to hold market traders in such low regard that she didn't bother to attend the unveiling of the Vision Document. Neither has she spoken to traders about it and the Markets Consultative Committee keeps being postponed.
Question submitted by Caroline Gleadall:
Over the last four years a group of traders have endeavoured to make a success of the Saturday Market in New Square. This is now full most weeks and is a positive attraction to the town, yet there have been no support for promoting, sharing, or signposting this to the town. Reading the vision documents, it is clear that the standing market on New Square is being entirely scrapped to be replaced with only seasonal markets. Will the Council give a written guarantee now, that the regular weekly markets, especially those on a Thursday and Saturday will not be removed on New Square, now or in the future? Or is the Vision Document correct?
Minutes:
Under Standing Order No. 12, the following question was asked by Luke Povey:
“We understand from the Assistant Director that Quarterbridge were chosen because they were the cheapest option. This was amongst other reasons. In choosing a cheap option, you also chose a company that specialises in clearing market spaces. They replace failed markets with entertainment spaces. Chesterfield does not have a failed market. There are problems, there are days on which the market does not work, and it is empty. But Quarterbridge start from the wrong assumptions. Does the Council now accept that the Vision document which was badly drafted by Quarterbridge distorted the consultation? It has given everyone the impression that this opportunity has become a risk rather than an investment in our 856-year-old weekly market. Do you agree that Quarterbridge has failed us?”
Councillor Sarvent provided a verbal response advising that she did not agree that Quarterbridge had failed the Council. Councillor Sarvent went on to explain that the Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield scheme was not only about the market but also about setting the future direction of Chesterfield’s high street. The aim was to connect the historic squares and, above all else, sustain and boost retail and trader occupancy levels. The work had been carried out at pace to ensure that a bid could be submitted to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund and Quarterbridge had been appointed following a robust tender process. The public consultation had secured 584 responses which were being analysed. Councillor Sarvent assured Mr Povey that she did not view the public consultation as the end of engagement with the traders but rather the start of a journey together. The priority was to revitalise Chesterfield’s high street and the markets for the benefit of everyone.
Luke Povey asked a supplementary question:
“Were you aware that in January 2009 Quarterbridge submitted a report to the Communities and Local Government Select Committee? I’d like to quote a piece of that; “Quarterbridge has undertaken a detailed financial analysis and prepared business plans for many market authorities over the years which have all confirmed that council run markets are in decline, slowed only by a remarkably high shopper loyalty. Indeed, there are some bright spots e.g., periodic farmers markets and car boot sales but we see no possibility for so-called regular open markets and market halls reversing their decline.” Given this is on the public record, do you think with hindsight it was a mistake to appoint a company that doesn’t believe that markets have a future?”
Councillor Sarvent provided a verbal response and confirmed that she was not in public office at the time the report had been published and was not aware of it. As stated previously, Quarterbridge had been chosen following a robust tender process based on a balanced assessment of quality of tender submission and price point. Quarterbridge had a role to play but it would be Chesterfield Borough Council that would be taking the project forward.
Under Standing Order No. 12, the following question was asked by Jackie Youle:
“I’m a regular trader in Chesterfield on Thursday's, Saturday's and Monday's and I hold a contract with the council. On that contract is my phone number, my email and my address. Despite this I first heard about the plans via a Social Media post saying to go to the Market Hall to see four pages of the Quarterbridge report (many aspects of which have since been withdrawn or slated by officers). When will the Council have the honesty and decency to write to every contract holder showing them the full 57-page report that it later emerged existed? The portfolio holder seems to hold market traders in such low regard that she didn't bother to attend the unveiling of the Vision Document. Neither has she spoken to traders about it and the Markets Consultative Committee keeps being postponed.”
Councillor Sarvent provided a verbal response confirming that the council wrote to all stall holders inviting them to view the emerging plans in the Market Hall back in June where the opinions of everyone that attended were noted. The draft Vision Masterplan built on these plans and was released for public consultation in July. Due to the pandemic, the consultation was largely carried out via a virtual exhibition although a physical display was also erected at the Market Hall.
All responses to the draft Vision Masterplan were being reviewed to enable this ambitious project to be finalised ready for the council’s Cabinet to consider late 2021 / early 2022. Councillor Sarvent assured Jackie Youle that she had been fully involved and engaged in the project from the outset, regularly visiting the market to talk with and listen to traders, and that she would continue to engage with all stakeholders as the project was taken forward.
Under Standing Order No. 12, the following question was asked by Caroline Gleadall:
“Over the last four years a group of traders have endeavoured to make a success of the Saturday Market in New Square. This is now full most weeks and is a positive attraction to the town, yet there has been no support for promoting, sharing, or signposting this to the town. Reading the vision documents, it is clear that the standing market on New Square is being entirely scrapped to be replaced with only seasonal markets. Will the Council give a written guarantee now, that the regular weekly markets, especially those on a Thursday and Saturday will not be removed from New Square, now or in the future? Or is the Vision Document correct?”
Councillor Sarvent provided a verbal response expressing her gratitude to all the traders for their valuable contributions to the success of Chesterfield’s markets. She documented the ways in which the council helps to promote the markets including:
· Provision of a dedicated Facebook page for the markets and market hall to which the council regularly adds content and shares content from traders. The council also responds to customer messages and enquiries;
· Publicising the markets through the Visit Chesterfield and Visit Peak District websites;
· Press releases to publicise specific events such as the 1940s market;
· Publicising the markets in the council’s magazine, Your Chesterfield, which is sent to every Chesterfield household;
· Development of a packed post COVID-19 town centre events programme to drive footfall to the town.
Councillor Sarvent accepted that the draft Vision Masterplan showed New Square as a flexible events space but there would still be space to accommodate market traders where it made sense to divide the traders between two market grounds. Members were advised that it would be premature to make any commitments until all responses to the public consultation had been considered and the Masterplan had been finalised. Assurance was given that there were no immediate plans to clear New Square of its market stalls particularly as new stall covers had recently been purchased to improve the market’s appearance.