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Minutes:
Public Question
A member of the public asked a question as set
out below.
1.
Raised
the following points:
i.
Queried
why there had been no consultation on the Market Square vision.
ii.
Queried
if proposals were suitable for the area.
iii.
Referred
to the petition on the Market Square.
iv.
Expressed
concern that workshop participants were not allowed to discuss what they heard
outside of workshops due to ‘Chatham House rules’.
The Executive Councillor for Climate Change,
Environment and City Centre responded:
i.
The use of ‘Chatham House rules’ in workshops would be
reviewed in future.
ii.
History of Market Square project (funding):
a.
A bid for funding was made to the Combined
Authority Board.
b.
The project to upgrade the market started.
c.
The Combined Authority Board did not want to
support a long term project, preferring shorter term ones such as installing
seating for restaurants on the pavement.
d.
The City Council changed its funding bid and was
successful.
iii.
The project is to upgrade the Market Square so it
has improved facilities to host a market seven days a week.
iv.
Communications about the market would be reviewed
in future.
v.
The concept design would be consulted upon later in
2021.
Supplementary question:
i.
Were traders
equal partners with the City Council on plans for the market?
ii.
What support would be offered to
the market and traders?
iii.
The project appeared to have
changed without input from the public.
The Executive Councillor responded:
i.
The Council could have been more
careful in its language. The language used in future communications would be
reviewed to avoid misunderstandings and ensure communications were clearer.
ii.
Re-iterated the proposal is to
develop the Market Square to facilitate hosting a market seven days a week, and
to have a better area to hold it in.
Matter for
Decision
The decision was noted.