Decision details

To bring forward proposals to harmonise the operation of the seven outdoor markets managed by North Yorkshire Council and thereby ceasing the subsidised stall set up service provided to some stall holders at Knaresborough and Ripon markets.

To note the contents of the Equalities and Climate Change Impact Assessments; and
i) agree that the current subsidised stall set-up arrangements be discontinued by North Yorkshire Council;
ii) agree that the implementation is delayed by a period of six months to minimise the impact on trading over the busy Christmas period, and to allow separate discussions support by the Localities Team to continue with Knaresborough Town Council and Ripon City Council in relations to their devolution ambitions;
iii) agree that existing promotion of the markets is expanded to mitigate any adverse impacts from changing the operating model;
iv) confirm that the outcome of this report be communicated to affected staff so the necessary formal HR processes can be conducted.

To ensure that a harmonised and equitable approach to NYC run markets is adopted that also reduces the risk of a service failure and contributes to the Environment Directorate transformation programme

The option to continue stall set up with the temporary operational work around in the long term was considered. It is recommended that this option is rejected as this will increase costs, manual handling, overall worked hours, and likelihood of a service failure.

The option to continue stall set up with new trailer equipment was considered. It is recommended that this option is rejected due to the cost and slow speed of implementation and the benefits of a harmonised approach for the whole of North Yorkshire would be missed.

The option to continue stall set up with new trailer equipment and a full cost recovery model (over a 5-year period) was considered. It is recommended that this option is rejected as it would represent an unsustainable increase to traders in the stall surcharge from £5 to £28 per stall, per week. The benefits of a harmonised approach for the whole of North Yorkshire would also be missed.