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107 (12) MARKET ISSUES – The Service Director Asset Management and Culture submitted a report to suspend indefinitely the operation of the “50 Foot Rule” in relation to stall allocation at North Lincolnshire Markets.

The current Market Rules and Regulations provided that the Markets Manager should use discretion when allocating stalls having due regard to the goods sold on neighbouring stalls. Neighbouring stalls was defined as stalls in the same aisle/row up to 50 feet away (the 50 Foot Rule).

The application of this “50 Foot Rule” had meant that over recent years new potential traders had been turned away where the traders’ proposals included the sale of similar goods to existing traders. Given the current trend of decline in market trader numbers it was felt that a strict operation of the “50 Foot Rule” was an unnecessary deterrent to the attraction of new traders. It was proposed to suspend the “50 Foot Rule” indefinitely and that in an attempt to increase trader numbers, to allow the Markets Manager total discretion on the allocation of stalls to new traders.

The Market Traders representative at the Market Traders Liaison Group had been consulted on the proposal. They accepted the need to attract more traders and were willing to see a suspension of the rule thereby allowing the Markets Manager to use discretion when allocating stalls. They accepted that the Markets Manager in most cases would not look to allocate stalls selling similar lines adjacent to each other.

Resolved – (a) That the “50 Foot Rule” as it currently applies to North Lincolnshire Markets be suspended indefinitely, and (b) the Markets Manager be authorised to use discretion when allocating stalls to new traders.

The following item contains exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1, 2 & 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

108 (13) NORMANBY ENTERPRISE PARK SLAG BANKS RECLAMATION PROJECT – The Service Director Asset Management and Culture submitted a report to approve the stage funding from the Property Trading Account of Remediation Works to 22 Hectares (Ha) of land known as the Slag Banks, on Normanby Enterprise Park, Scunthorpe

The last phase of the programme to reclaim Normanby Enterprise Park for industrial development, which was funded by Yorkshire Forward was completed in 2008. A further bid to Yorkshire Forward for funds to clean up and develop the Slag Banks with infrastructure was made during 2008 and 2009. Despite Yorkshire Forward encouraging the application, they had failed to confirm the availability of funding, and had since stated that no funds will be available  The council’s bid anticipated that continued use would be made of void space in Conesby Quarry for contaminated material, and was designed to complete such works before Landfill Tax exemption was withdrawn in March 2012

It was believed that the overall cost of clean up and development would be less than receipts from future sales. The completion of the remediation of the Slag Banks would also mean that Conesby Quarry could be capped, thereby saving some maintenance costs. It would also potentially release any value which may be attributable to the quarry itself.

Resolved – (a) That the use of Property Trading Account funds for a staged remediation of NEP7 (Slag Banks) be authorised, (b) that stage 1 proceeds in accordance with the consultant engineer’s report as quickly as possible, and (c) that further reports relating to further stages be submitted to the Cabinet Member for consideration at the appropriate time.

The following items contain exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

109 (14) COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TRANSACTION SCHEDULE – The Service Director Asset Management and Culture submitted a report for consideration and approval of the terms of all recently completed, current/ongoing and new property transactions.

Resolved – That the schedule appended to the report be approved.

110 (15) ALLOCATION OF PROPERTY TRADING ACCOUNT FUNDS – ANNUAL STRATEGY DOCUMENT – The Service Director Asset Management and Culture submitted a report to consider the provisional allocation of Property Trading Account (PTA) funds to development schemes.

The council’s Industrial/Commercial Property Management and Development Policy allows the use of the PTA funds for appropriate development schemes which are linked to the council’s wider Regeneration Agenda and Priority Framework. The Policy required an annual strategy document reviewed at 6 monthly intervals, which approved and reported on those proposed development schemes/investment projects.

Resolved – (a) That the provisional allocation of Property Trading Account funds be approved against the proposed development schemes listed in Appendix 1 to the report, and (b) that the Service Director Asset Management & Culture be authorised to progress negotiations to implement the approved schemes.

111 (16) INDUSTRIAL/COMMERCIAL PROPERTY – ROLLING PLAN – The Service Director Asset Management and Culture submitted a report which set out the estimated Capital and Revenue position of the Industrial/Commercial Property and Tourism budgets including the Property Trading Account for the next five years.

In accordance with the approved and revised Industrial/ Commercial Property Management Strategy there was a requirement, in order to inform the council’s budget management process, to provide a 3 to 5 year plan (reviewed annually) for approval by the Cabinet Member. This set out the current capital and revenue position and outlined proposals for capital investments and revenue budgets for future years.

Resolved – That the Financial Plan relating to the council’s Industrial/Commercial Property as attached at Appendix 1 & 2 to the report be approved.

Where there is no report this is because it is exempt, as it contains information which is considered to be of a confidential nature, as detailed in the Local Government (Access to Information) Act.

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