Issue - meetings

Councillor Ashton introduced the report and emphasised that with the changing nature of demands facing high streets, it was important that the market manager appointed was entrepreneurial and could adapt to change.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Thompson addressed the meeting in support of the proposals and acknowledged the vibrancy the market had brought to the town centre.  In the future, she requested that consideration be given to relocating the market to the Broadway where there was more space and would help mitigate concerns previously experienced by some high street traders.

The Strategic Director: Place reported that an Informal Policy Group (IPG) had met on 18 March to consider the market management procurement.  The IPG was chaired by Councillor Miller and included Member representation from both political groups.  The IPG had considered general matters regarding the market (for example, layout and positioning of stalls) and had agreed that the quality of market provision was of vital importance,  Consequently, the IPG agreed to recommend to Cabinet that the evaluation of the tenders be amended to 60% quality and 40% price.

The points made by Mr Tait were noted and with regard to comments made by Councillor Thompson, the Strategic Director highlighted that the possibility of moving the market was a longer term aim and the contract would have the flexibility to enable this.

One Member expressed some concern that the proposals did not allow for Member involvement in the selection process for the market contractor.  The Chairman commented that with previous tender selection processes, Members had been given the opportunity to observe presentations and requested that this be arranged again.  The Strategic Director acknowledged this was our previous approach and would be put in place for this procurement process.

In response to questions, the Strategic Director confirmed that the requirement for market traders to remove waste from their stalls was within the contract and any issues reported could be addressed through the management of the market.

Cabinet agreed to the following for the reasons outlined above and set out in the Report.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the Council proceed with the public tender for the appointment of a Market Management Contractor. 

2.         That the Evaluation Panel to consider the submitted Tenders shall comprise: the Corporate Head of Asset Management, Senior Estates Surveyor, Programme Lead (Central Winchester) and Finance Business Partner. 

3.         That the highest scoring  tenderer as determined by the  Evaluation Panel be approved and authorised by the Strategic Director Place, in consultation with Portfolio Holder for Estates and the Head of Legal Services (Interim).

4.         That the Head of Legal Services (Interim) be authorised to enter into a contract for the services with the successful bidder.

            5.         That the assessment be undertaken using 60% quality and 40% price to reflect the importance of Winchesterness in the proposed assessment framework.