Agenda item

To consider a motion on notice submitted by Councillors Ainscough, Cozler and Whitaker.

Briefing Note published 18 July 2025

Councillor Ainscough proposed the following motion having given the required notice to the Chief Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15:-

“The Council seeks to acknowledge the vital role Morecambe’s Festival Market plays in the community, the opportunity it provides for small local businesses and sole traders, and in delivering the council’s mission for sustainable growth. However, the seasonal nature of the market’s business requires that the council, which owns and maintains the market itself, to show flexibility and consideration to those who operate out of it so it can serve Morecambe and the visitor economy all year round. 

The Council notes:

• The vitality of the market to Morecambe and its visitors as an accessible and affordable place to shop and do business.
• The importance of traders at the market who make its operation possible, and as such the necessity to attract and maintain Morecambe’s fantastic small businesses and sole traders. 
• Concerns raised by market traders about the inflexibility of the Council’s management of the market, and concerns raised by residents about the vitality of the market as a result.

The Council commends:

• The Festival Market traders for their continued work despite the difficulties posed by the seasonal nature of their hard work and lack of attention paid to that work by the current council administration.
• The work of Madame Mayor, Councillor Pattison in promoting the success of the market in her business as a councillor and advocate for Morecambe. 

The Council regrets:

• The difficulties faced by market traders in light of the Council’s current approach to rent and debt collection, which lacks an awareness of the ebbs and flows to Morecambe’s seasonal economy.
• The lack of investment in the Festival Market, which has worsened the impact of seasonality on its ability to trade, such as in the absence of effective heating. 
• That it has been unable to support market traders who have left the Festival Market, by choice or financial pressure, in keeping their business within its walls.

The Council resolves:

(1)        To task the Leader of the Council to clarify which Cabinet Member is responsible for the Morecambe Festival Market, the Cabinet Member for Morecambe Regeneration and Local Economy or the Cabinet Member for Lancaster Regeneration and Local Economy.

(2)        To task that Cabinet Member to contact current market traders with an opportunity to hear their thoughts and to consider them in light of the pressures they are under and the ability of the Council to relieve that.”

Councillor Whitaker seconded the motion.

A briefing note had been submitted by officers to accompany the motion.

Councillor Ainscough responded to a number of questions from Councillors prior to the debate. During debate, an amendment to the motion was moved by Councillor Bottoms, removing text and changing one word ‘contact’ to ‘revisit’, as follows:

“The Council seeks to acknowledge the vital role Morecambe’s Festival Market plays in the community, the opportunity it provides for small local businesses and sole traders, and in delivering the council’s mission for sustainable growth.

The Council notes:

• The vitality of the market to Morecambe and its visitors as an accessible and affordable place to shop and do business.
• The importance of traders at the market who make its operation possible, and as such the necessity to attract and maintain Morecambe’s fantastic small businesses and sole traders. 

The Council resolves:

(1)        To task the leader of the Council to clarify which Cabinet Member is responsible for the Morecambe Festival Market, the Cabinet Member for Morecambe Regeneration and Local Economy or the Cabinet Member for Lancaster Regeneration and Local Economy.

(2)        To task that Cabinet Member to revisit current market traders with an opportunity to hear their thoughts and to consider them in light of the pressures they are under and the ability of the Council to relieve that.”

At the conclusion of the debate a vote was taken on the amendment, which was clearly carried and became the substantive motion. It was debated briefly before a vote was taken, which was unanimously in favour of the motion.

Resolved unanimously:

The Council seeks to acknowledge the vital role Morecambe’s Festival Market plays in the community, the opportunity it provides for small local businesses and sole traders, and in delivering the council’s mission for sustainable growth.

The Council notes:

• The vitality of the market to Morecambe and its visitors as an accessible and affordable place to shop and do business.
• The importance of traders at the market who make its operation possible, and as such the necessity to attract and maintain Morecambe’s fantastic small businesses and sole traders. 

The Council resolves:

(1)        To task the leader of the Council to clarify which Cabinet Member is responsible for the Morecambe Festival Market, the Cabinet Member for Morecambe Regeneration and Local Economy or the Cabinet Member for Lancaster Regeneration and Local Economy.

(2)        To task that Cabinet Member to revisit current market traders with an opportunity to hear their thoughts and to consider them in light of the pressures they are under and the ability of the Council to relieve that.