Issue - meetings

Cabinet is asked to agree that the Council (as landowner) will allow permission to run a market in the Guildhall Car Park for the period of the Christmas Market.

Councillor David Bellotti introduced the item.  He explained that a market had been held in the car park every December since 2005.  The existing traders took part and had always run it well.  The proposal was to delegate authority to the Chief Property Officer to negotiate arrangements for 2013.

He moved the proposals.

Councillor Paul Crossley seconded the proposal.  He said that the Christmas market had become a real feature of Bath and was always a huge success.  He welcomed the market traders taking up the challenge.  He emphasised that the needs of local residents must be given consideration.

On a motion from Councillor David Bellotti, seconded by Councillor Paul Crossley, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To DELEGATE authority to the Chief Property Officer, for 2013 and in future years (if required), to decide whether to allow a market to be held in the Guildhall Car Park to run concurrently with the period of the Christmas Market, plus two additional days prior to and one day after the Guildhall Christmas Market for setting up and dismantling; and

(2) To AGREE that if consent is given to the use of the car park for this purpose, that consent will be given subject to the following conditions:

(a) that any proposed variations to the format of the market from that held in December 2009 are delegated to the Chief Property Officer.

(b)  that Planning Permission and all other statutory consents are obtained and all conditions (if any) are complied with fully before the market is set up.

(c) that all necessary street trading licenses are obtained before the market is set up.

(d) that each year an operator, on behalf of the Guildhall Market Traders Association, enter a licence with the Council covering their use of the car park documenting the term and agreed covenants and obligations of each party.

(e) that appropriate alternative arrangements are made for users of the displaced parking spaces for the disabled.

(f) that if in any year any operational issues arise that are not resolved to the satisfaction of the Chief Property Officer, especially the handling of refuse, then the Council reserves the right to withdraw permission to use the car park.

(g) that if the Christmas Market does not operate the Council reserves the right to withdraw permission to use the car park.

(h) that if the Grand Parade and Undercroft project results in the market not being able to operate, the Council reserves the right to withdraw permission to use the car park.

(i) that the issue of who operates the market is delegated to the Chief Property Officer to determine.