…

On Monday night 30 January, Mendip’s Cabinet were therefore presented with an ‘Updating’ paper which asked for a different decision, and which stated:

“The relocation of the existing stall market to the Market Place is one of the principal options of the development project; however, alternative solutions and alternative locations will be given full consideration. It is believed that the relocated market and, if implemented, the associated road closure would raise the market’s visibility and create an improved shopping environment and enhanced atmosphere in which the market is staged. However, the road closure is not the only option available to facilitiate the development project.

“Consultation: The report has been brought to Cabinet in order to request permission to launch the detailed consultation with the many interested parties that will be required in order to successfully implement this project. There has been no consultation to date as it was considered that to do so before Cabinet had committed to the project would have been premature.

“The timing of the publication of the application for a temporary road closure in order to conduct the trial market relocation in the Market Place has caused a reaction from many quarters because it pre-empted the consultation process. However, the high level of interest generated by this focus on the Market Place may now be taken advantage of and channelled into the next phase of the project which is the consultation phase.

“The application for a temporary road closure, needing 90 days to complete the procedure, was made in January 2012 in order to ensure that the option for a road closure would be available from Easter 2012. However, the option of using the temporary road closure will be available for a period of 18 months starting from Easter 2012 and whether or not it is taken up at the start there will be ample opportunity to implement a trial of the relocated market.

“The consultation will include the following organizations, agencies and people groups and the list may be extended further as the process develops: Frome market traders, shoppers, Frome Town Council, Somerset County Council, Somerset Highways, Emergency services: police, fire, ambulance, Frome Chamber of Commerce, Frome Community Investment Company, Artisan Markets, Farmers Market, The Cheese and Grain, Frome traders, bus companies, taxi drivers, coach services, Westway shopping precinct.”

And this was what senior officers and councillors in the Cabinet agreed to at the 30th January meeting:

“Resolved: Subject to final approval by Cabinet, to delegate authority to the Portfolio Holder [Cllr Phil Ham, Con, Coleford] and Corporate Manager for Governance, Assets and Public Spaces (in consultation with the Shadow Portfolio Holder for Governance, Assets and Public Spaces) to progress and finalise detailed strategic and operational discussions regarding the plans and formal partnership agreements (as necessary) in relation to the matter, including approval by the Finance Portfolio Holder and Corporate Finance Officer of any financial implications.”

For info: The expanded Steering Group currently consists of:

– Cllr Philip Ham, Portfolio Holder for Governance, Assets and Public Spaces (GAPS), Mendip DC (Con, Coleford ward)
– Cllr Valerie Horler, Assistant Portfolio Holder, Mendip DC (Con, Coleford)
– Cllr Adam Boyden, Shadow Portfolio Holder for GAPS, Mendip DC (Lib Dem, Frome College ward)
– Cllr Adrian Dobinson, Assistant Shadow Portfolio Holder, MDC (Lib Dem, Frome Berkley Down)
– MDC Corporate Manager, GAPS
– MDC Operational Assets and Contracts Officer
– MDC Senior Contracts Officer
– Vernon Anderson, CEO, Frome Town Council
– Cllr Mel Usher, Leader, Frome Town Council (IFF)
– Cllr Alvin Horsfall, Somerset County Councillor (Lib Dem, Frome South, and MDCllr for Frome Keyford)
– Cllr Maggy Daniell, Somerset County Councillor (Lib Dem, Frome Selwood)
– Cllr Peter John, Somerset County Councillor (Con, Frome North)
– Neil Howlett, President, Frome Chamber of Commerce
– Gavin Eddy, Forward Space / Frome Artisan Market
– MDC Senior Markets Officer
– A representative of Frome Market Traders (Dan Price).

The Steering Group will be involved in assessing options and the details of each, which are being worked on by the various working parties now. Ward councillors (Frome Market ward) will also be closely consulted.

cont’d.