Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Majid Khan, David Nevett & Sophie Liu.

There were no items on the agenda.

There were no declarations made.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 13th October 2021, be agreed as a correct record.

There were no public statements made.

The Panel received a report that provided an update on the progress and delivery of Management of Doncaster Markets, this included KPI’s, contractual matters and notable events.

In addition to support the report, an overview was provided by Drew Oxley, Head of Trading Services and Hayden Ferriby, Director of Market Asset Management. The areas highlighted to the panel were as follows:

• How the markets traded safely throughout Covid.
• Occupancy trends and the changing occupancy throughout the pandemic, highlighting successful expansions for some traders.
• Footfall and footfall trends since 2018 including throughout Covid.
• Turnover for the market traders over the last few years.
• Marketing – the types of marketing used eg. Social media in partnership with traders, and the expansion of the marketing team.
• New projects for the market including some new events planned for the future.
• Maintenance and operations of Doncaster market – including a staffing restructure across the market estate.
• New building works and the upgrading and maintenance of all the existing sites including Mexborough markets and plans for the future. 
• Development of new proposals to transform under-utilised areas of the market, and how to make best use of those spaces.

Councillors thanked Officers for the presentation and then explored the following topics in more detail;

Events – Members were keen to understand the events that MAM had arranged at the markets and it was explained there had was an Record Fair  that took place regularly throughout the year, Makers Markets and smaller pop-up events around people starting their own business, and Asian markets. It was reported that all events were well attended and that that the Makers Market and a Christmas Market were planned for 2022.

Communications – The Panel were informed that there was a messaging system used between MAM and stall-holders where traders could communicate as individuals or a group, and they could use this to direct message any of the Markets Senior Management Team.

In regards to advertising events, social media was the preferred method of communication, with newspapers and printed material used occasionally.

Footfall – It was explained that to help encourage a higher footfall, scheduled events at the market would themselves help to bring more people into the market estate.  Reference was also made to the  new concept as part of  the Wool Market and new signage as described in the presentation. It was hoped that by encouraging more people to attend events this would also in turn strengthen links with the wider community, so that more people from the borough see the different businesses on offer.

It was explained how the management and onsite team have established wider links by engaging with community groups or local businesses who use the space for promotional work or to make bookings for events in the markets.

Leisure Zone – With regards to a question about the costs for creating the leisure zone, it was noted that it had been procured by MAM, and was being paid for by Doncaster  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

The Director of Economy and Environment, Dan Swaine introduced the report and highlighted that information presented at the meeting was a comparison in terms of town centre activity between pre-Covid and the current year, with data on footfall, night time economy, public spend and retail voids.

The Development Officer for Business Doncaster, Andrew McMahon responded to questions raised during the previous item (Doncaster Markets) on the location of the cameras in the town centre, noted by Members as being in St Sepulchre Gate, High Street, Baxtergate, and on the corner of High Fisher Gate.

Areas that were then highlighted to Members included;

• The decline of retail in Doncaster town centre was down to numerous factors that were beyond the authorities control including a nationally outdated business rates system.
• High streets would have to adapt to compete with the online offer, and its three main challenges were;

o   Public perception – that Doncaster’s town centre had image could be improved and Members examples were provided of negative comments made about the town centre through social media.

o   Covid – that there was a need to create the town centre as a safe destination, make best of what Doncaster has, and be willing to consider new options.

o   Changing demand – adapt the Doncaster offer to meet changing consumer habits, acknowledge the threat of online shopping, work with businesses to relocate where needed and embrace the need to change.

The Panel thanked Officers for the presentation then explored the following areas in more detail;

Attracting New Business – It was explained to Members that Business Doncaster took a proactive approach and worked nationally to try and encourage new businesses in both the retail and leisure industries to trade in Doncaster and fill voids.

Reopening of Civic Office – Members recognised that the Civic Offices being opened would help to increase the footfall in the town centre, however, it was noted that that was a corporate decision taking into account national public health guidance.

Homelessness – In regards to rough sleepers in Doncaster, it was advised that they were vulnerable people who required varying levels of support, and that some engaged with the appropriate support systems and some choose not to.  It was recognised that it could be difficult to transition rough sleepers with more complex needs back into mainstream housing whilst they still required support from various organisations.

Other Doncaster Town Centres – Members were reminded that the authority does focus on other town centres across the borough and that last year there had been a town centre recovery plan in Mexborough that had now been extended to Thorne. The Panel were pleased that there were plans to broaden this to other towns even further next year. 

Transport -  It was advised that officer led groups were looking at a regenerative and revised Town Centre Masterplan taking into consideration buses and bus routes, reducing the number of cars and also car parks and the land they utilised. Members stressed that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

The Senior Governance Officer presented the Overview and Scrutiny work plan and highlighted a meeting due to take place in March about Employment Opportunities post-Covid and an update on local plan.

In terms of the Council’s Forward Plan of Key Decisions there was nothing to highlight to the panel.

RESOLVED: that the report be noted