Decision details

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Barry)

In accordance with Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chairman agreed to consider the report as an item of urgent business as a decision was required prior to the next meeting of Cabinet in March.

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Property Services to consider recommendations for the future of Lancaster Market.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

Option 2 was the officer preferred option: to investigate further the opportunity of moving the Lancaster indoor market into the museum building on Market Square.  On the assumption that the Council still desired a thriving indoor market in line with the decisions taken back in March 2010, it was evident that options for investment needed to be investigated and appraised thoroughly. It was considered that Option 3 would not fit with this aim, but nonetheless, the Council could reconsider its aspirations in light of other priorities and spending pressures.

Councillor Barry proposed, seconded by Councillor Whitelegg:

“(1)      That approval be granted to undertake further investigations into the conversion of the City Museum to accommodate Lancaster Market and that a further report is made to cabinet in due course with the costs being funded from the proposed reserve.

(2)        To confirm the importance of the King’s Own Royal Regimental Museum in the heritage offer of the district and to seek to improve that offer as part of any change to the City Museum.

(3)        That officers be instructed to enter into leases with traders at Lancaster             Market Hall that would allow for the potential relocation to new premises             or a break or redevelopment clause for the purpose of refurbishing and revitalising the market hall (should transfer into alternative premises not prove feasible).

(4)        That whilst investigations are undertaken into the conversion of the City Museum, measures continue to be implemented within Lancaster Market to improve its appearance and to continue with improved management and marketing of the market, with any costs funded from the proposed reserve.”

The meeting adjourned at 1.10pm and reconvened at 1.25pm.

By way of an amendment Councillor Robinson proposed and Councillor Kerr seconded:

“That the following additional 3 recommendations be added to the resolution:

1. That Officers negotiate new leases with market traders but seek a break clause after 12 months and should the report on City Museum prove unfavourable, negotiate with traders to consider relocation away from the current market building.  Such relocation would need to be by agreement.

2. That whilst investigations are undertaken into the City Museum, any emergency works and other investments carried out, do not go beyond the provision in the reserve.

3. While the viability of converting the City Museum is undertaken, officers seek an alternative use of the existing market hall.”

Councillors then voted on the amendment.

2 Members voted for the amendment (Councillors Kerr and Robinson) and 6 Members against (Councillors Ashworth, Barry, Blamire, Bryning, Langhorn and Whitelegg) whereupon the Chairman declared the amendment to be lost.

Councillors then voted on the original proposition.

Resolved:

(7 Members (CouncillorsAshworth, Barry, Blamire, Bryning, Kerr, Langhorn and Whitelegg) voted in favour, and 1 Member (Councillor Robinson) voted against.)

(1)        That approval be granted to undertake further investigations into the conversion of the City Museum to accommodate Lancaster Market and that a further report is made to cabinet in due course with the costs being funded from the proposed reserve.

(2)        To confirm the importance of the King’s Own Royal Regimental Museum in the heritage offer of the district and to seek to improve that offer as part of any change to the City Museum.

(3)        That officers be instructed to enter into leases with traders at Lancaster             Market Hall that would allow for the potential relocation to new premises             or a break or redevelopment clause for the purpose of refurbishing and revitalising the market hall (should transfer into alternative premises not prove feasible).

(4)        That whilst investigations are undertaken into the conversion of the City Museum, measures continue to be implemented within Lancaster Market to improve its appearance and to continue with improved management and marketing of the market, with any costs funded from the proposed reserve.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Head of Property Services

Reasons for making the decision:

Supporting our economy is one of the City Council’s key priority areas and includes heritage and cultural tourism for the district including creative industries and employment.  The City Council wishes to maintain an economically sustainable city centre and retaining and improving the provision of the indoor market at an affordable cost to the City Council can help to facilitate this.