To advise of a petition containing more than 500 signatures which has been received by North Yorkshire Council, and to ask the Area Committee to consider a response.
Minutes:
The report was introduced by Edward Maxwell, Senior Democratic Services Officer, advising of a petition which had been received by North Yorkshire Council and asking the Area Committee to consider a response. The petition called for the plans to require Knaresborough market traders to self-erect their stalls to be reconsidered, preserving a beloved local landmark.
As the petition had received more than 500 signatures, it had been scheduled for consideration at the next meeting of the relevant Area Committee. As it was a decision which would be taken later in the year, the options open to the committee were to commission further investigation into the matter; to make recommendations to inform the decision; or to take no further action.
A representative for the petitioners opened the discussion in accordance with council procedure rules, making a five-minute statement, during which it was argued that the implementation of new stalls would have a catastrophic impact on the viability of the 700-year old market, seriously affecting the town’s economy. The petitioners argued that the expected £30,000 in savings would be offset by the loss of an estimated 20 traders and their £1,500 annual fee. It was asked that the ongoing discussions between North Yorkshire Council and Knaresborough Town Council be allowed to continue without the threat of the reforms being enacted while they were still ongoing.
The petitioners argued that Knaresborough was affected by unique circumstances, such as its limited space precluding the use of vans, the strong wind which often affected the market place, and the serious impact on the Christmas market.
North Yorkshire Council was urged to:
1. Carry out a full economic cost-benefit analysis to assess the impact of an anticipated loss of traders.
2. Refrain from making a final decision until the conclusion of discussions between North Yorkshire Council and Knaresborough Town Council.
3. Carry out a consultation fully involving the community and market traders, and place its findings at the forefront of the ongoing discussions.
Following the petitioner’s statement, the Chair explained that members had 15 minutes to discuss and agree on a course of action. During the discussion, members raised the following points:
· The exact annual subsidy, mentioned in the report as being “in the region of £25,000 and £35,000”, was questioned.
· The scale of the proposed savings were questioned, when compared to the serious possible effects on the market.
· While the need for investment to grow the market was acknowledged, some members highlighted the need for saving decisions to be made centrally.
· Members considered the possibility of referring the matter for consideration by Overview and Scrutiny, or on endorsing the three proposals suggested by the petitioners, but in both cases this was acknowledged as being a lengthy process that might delay the decision unnecessarily, without taking into account the views of traders and residents.
Resolved:
That the committee make recommendations to the decision maker, and that the recommendation should be that:
a) the discussions between North Yorkshire Council and Knaresborough Town Council should continue at pace;
b) no final decision on the implementation of the proposals be made until the discussions be completed.
Supporting documents: