The report of the Corporate Director, Communities, on Markets Designations is marked to follow as it is due to be considered at Cabinet on 10 July 2024 and will be added to the Council agenda should the Cabinet meeting agree for it to be submitted.

The report is available to view on the Council web page for that Cabinet meeting: https://democracy.towerhamlets.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=720&MId=15298&Ver=4

Councillor Shafi Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Environment and the Climate Emergency moved the report on Market Designation (Columbia Road, Watney and Whitechapel). Councillor Kamrul Hussain seconded the report.

Councillor Ahmed said Cabinet had considered the report on the 10^th July 2024 and he was asking Council to approve the recommendations within the report. Members added their comments.

DECISION

Council AGREED to:

1.    Note the report; and

2.    Agreed to the market improvements as set out in the Cabinet report for Columbia Road Market, Watney Market and Whitechapel Market subject to Officers re-examining the suggestion put forward by members in relation to pitches for Columbia Road Market.

Councillor Shafi Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Environment and the Climate Emergency moved the report on Market Designation (Columbia Road, Watney and Whitechapel). Councillor Kamrul Hussain seconded the report.

Councillor Ahmed said Cabinet had considered the report on the 10^th July 2024 and he was asking Council to approve the recommendations within the report. Members added their comments. Members requested Officers to consider the suggestion to allow market traders in Columbia Road market to extend their over-hung canopies over the pitch-size, of 3m x 3m to provide shelter to visitors from the weather and allow them to display their goods more prominently.

The Council RESOLVED to:

1.    Note the report; and

2.    Agreed to the market improvements as set out in the Cabinet report for Columbia Road Market, Watney Market and Whitechapel Market and asked that Officers review the suggestion put forward by members in relation to pitches for Columbia Road Market.

The Mayor noted and agreed the reasons for urgency, as provided in the report submitted.

DECISION

1.    Note the report.

2.    Recommend that full Council agrees the markets improvements.

3.    Columbia Road Market

– The proposal is to make permanent the temporary measures put in post-Covid:

·         officially increase the pitch size to 3mx3m from something that traders have been using for more than six years.

·         Make permanent the layout that has been used since reopening after Covid. This means all pitches on the north side and extended from Ravenscroft to Barnet Grove, with market parking on both side of Barnet Grove and one side of Chambord.

4.    Watney Market

·         to carry out further engagement with market traders around the use of the gazebos at a later date. · to delegate the adoption of the new pitch size of 3m x 3.81m decision on gazebos to the Corporate Director depending on the results of engagement exercise.

5.    Whitechapel Market

·         officially designate the area that traders have been using for many years to make the official designated pitch size the one currently marked by red line, 2.57m width x 4.5m depth.

Action by

INTERIM CORPORATE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AND REGENERATION (P. PATTERSON)

Interim Director Public Realm (A. Ali)

The Mayor noted and agreed the reasons for urgency, as provided in the report submitted.

Councillor Shafi Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Environment and the Climate Emergency introduced the report that, following consultation on a proposal to alter the pitch sizes at three locations, identified the rationale for the proposals consulted on, the results of the consultation and the recommended action following consultation. Councillor Ahmed briefly set out the benefits of the proposed approaches for each of the sites, which he hoped the Mayor would agree to progress.

The Mayor welcomed the report. Further to a brief explanation from officers regarding delays to works at Watney market and measures to compensate stall holders , he asked officers and the Lead Member to develop proposals to demonstrate goodwill to shop-owners as well.

RESOLVED that the Mayor in Cabinet:

1. Notes the report.

2. Recommend that full Council agrees the markets improvements.

3. Columbia Road Market – The proposal is to make permanent the temporary measures put in post-Covid:
   • officially increase the pitch size to 3mx3m from something that traders have been using for more than six years.
   • Make permanent the layout that has been used since reopening after Covid. This means all pitches on the north side and extended from Ravenscroft to Barnet Grove, with market parking on both side of Barnet Grove and one side of Chambord.

4. Watney Market
   • to carry out further engagement with market traders around the use of the gazebos at a later date. · to delegate the adoption of the new pitch size of 3m x 3.81m decision on gazebos to the Corporate Director depending on the results of engagement exercise.

5. Whitechapel Market