Agenda item

The public open forum will commence at 2.00 p.m. and the following formal business of the Council will commence at 2.30 p.m. or whenever the public open forum ends, if earlier.

There were six questions submitted to Full Council by members of the public. Questions numbered 1-4 were answered during the meeting as below. Questioners 5 and 6 were not present to ask their question, and would receive a written response:

 

1)    John Sayer to the Deputy Leader of the Council:

 

Why does SKDC think that the marketplace redevelopment will bring in more trade for our businesses when the 2011 redevelopment didn’t deliver any of the promises? What difference is levelling of the marketplace going to make this time? I’ve been in the marketplace for 20 years and this could be the final nail in my business; please help support local businesses today, thank you.

 

The Deputy Leader of the Council responded:

 

SKDC was aware of the lessons learnt from the 2011 redevelopment. The works to the market place would create a more flexible space with a greater scope for holding events and activities both in support of increasing footfall in the town in general, and supporting the continued development of the market. But this was only one of a series of actions to promote this retail and hospitality area. SKDC was painfully aware of the need to reinvigorate Grantham Town Centre and we were already seeing a very noticeable growth in the Saturday market; we were refurbishing and reopening the Conduit Lane public toilets, we were planning to redesignate Conduit Lane car park as short stay to attract more footfall, we were planning to introduce 2 hours free parking at Wharf Road car park and an hour’s free parking in SKDC car parks elsewhere, and we were planning a series of promotional events for the area across the coming months. We had provided grants to businesses through the government’s Heritage Action Zone funding to improve shopfronts and to refurbish Westgate Hall which was now due to reopen as a hospitality business, and we had also provided grants through the government’s Future High Street Fund to convert upper floors above shops in the town centre into residential units which would increase local footfall for local businesses.

 

2)    Paul Adams to the Deputy Leader of the Council

 

   What arrangements will be in place after the market place work is completed both for deliveries but also to avoid anti-social behaviour from car drivers, motorcycles and cyclists with no road separation?

 

   The Deputy Leader of the Council responded:

 

Although the carriageway would be at the same level as the surrounding paving, the extent of the carriageway, and the existing layby/loading/unloading areas would be clearly delineated from the pedestrian areas. The edges of the carriageway would be marked with a contrasting material from the surrounding York stone paving. Road users should not have any confusion over the extent or location of the road.

 

Also, we would seek to ensure that Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) resolved any issues of ‘loading-only’ bays not being adequately signed in the future, as we are aware that is an issue at the moment.

 

The market place was covered by SKDC’s existing CCTV provision which was currently in the process of being improved with better cameras, and the CCTV was regularly monitored for anti-social behaviour of all kinds – the Control Room was monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. CCTV officers worked closely with the Police and other necessary authorities to ensure that this was dealt with effectively. If necessary, a Public Space Protection Order could be brought in to give SKDC officers enforcement powers to issue fixed penalty notices, as had already been seen elsewhere in the District.

 

During the project development phase, as part of the submission of the bid for funding the Council was required to evaluate the public benefit of all projects which were put forward as part of the bid. This included the requirement for projects to reach a certain value of land value uplift, as a marker of the wider economic benefit of the scheme.

 

There was an expectation of an increase in footfall in the Market Place following the completion of the works, which would be supported by a programme of events and activities. The Council monitored footfall in the market place, and would monitor the footfall throughout the works, and also following their completion. We were able to access this data after the end of the month.

 

Paul Adams asked a supplementary question; Who was monitoring the CCTV footage, given there was often anti-social behaviour and a large amount of littering in that part of Grantham?

 

The Deputy Leader advised that the CCTV Control Room was being moved to the Police Station, and it was hoped that this, along with better cameras would contribute to solving problems such as anti-social behaviour.

 

3)   James Meadows to the Deputy Leader of the Council:

 

What are we going to do with regards to parking for businesses like the bakery and barbers on Westgate in Grantham as a result of the market place works, as it appears we are chasing customers out of Grantham town centre before they have arrived?

 

The Deputy Leader of the Council responded:

 

The administration was conscious of increasing footfall in Grantham Town Centre, as something needed to be done. There were plans to introduce an hour’s free parking, with 2 hours free at Wharf Lane. Conduit Lane car park would be designated as a short stay car park. This would hopefully lead to a higher degree of footfall and a high turnover of people.

 

James Meadows asked a supplementary question: Why were shopkeepers not told about the market place works?

 

The Leader of the Council outlined that businesses in Grantham and across the District were being supported. There was a desire from the Council to improve Grantham Market and increase footfall. In order to do that there were some roadworks, carried out in partnership with LCC. He was sorry that the questioner didn’t find out; with hindsight there could have been further consultation. Works were proposed in 2019, with some consultation in 2020.

 

There was now a position where there was a scheme on the table, and there was a further scheme at Station Approach.

 

With events taking place in the market place there was a desire to encourage new and existing businesses to succeed and flourish.

 

4)    Rupert Stanton to the Deputy Leader of the Council:

 

Why are the roadworks being carried out during the busiest time of the year? Almost all of the businesses in the market place are of a seasonal nature and have a lot greater footfall during the Summer than they do in the Winter.

 

The Deputy Leader of the Council responded:

 

The timing of the works was largely determined by the time limitations applied to the funding and how this fitted in with the County Council’s delivery plan for the project and the availability of the contractors. In order to be completed within the required window for the funding works had to be under contract by September 2024, and completed by March 2025. This unfortunately limited the window in which works could take place.

 

Rupert Stanton asked a supplementary question; What was being done to ensure that the roadworks were being completed in a speedy and efficient manner?

 

The Deputy Leader responded that the roadworkers were under contract to LCC and that he would be happy to raise this issue with them.

 

5)    Colin Lambert to the Leader of the Council for a written response:

 

I am a disabled amputee in the Council assisted living accommodation of Priory Court.  

 

Sorry I cannot attend as I have a physio appointment, meaning I’m going to have to run the dangerous junction at the Nobody Inn. You are being forced to cross two live lanes to get into lane for the hospital, an accident waiting to happen. 

 

When the development started they blocked half the road off at the Nobody Inn. I tried to call the “emergency” number given due to the chaos being caused at that junction to us, but the phone was switched off. That same day my food delivery couldn’t get through due to the lorries delivering portacabins to the car park opposite the entrance to Priory Court. Food deliveries are my lifeline. 

 

Unfortunately last week my neighbour had to call the emergency services due to her husband having a heart attack. Even the emergency services were not sure how to get to them. I’m not saying that their delay led to the bereavement but if the emergency services are having troubles what chance have we got? 

 

They ruined Westgate with the last lot of so-called improvements in 2011 taking away parking etc. at great cost, only to be told they are going to spend another £4.1 Million of public money to alter it again. I personally think putting it back to the way it was would have been the best idea. 

 

I cannot comment for the rest of the residents of the Grange, Greyfriars, Priory Court, but with restricted access it is nothing but problems, the Council just don’t care. When the fair is here we have to suffer for about 5 days, but the so-called improvement forced upon us is going to take 5 months. 

 

A question to the Leader- why were the residents in the assisted living Grange, Greyfriars, Priory Court not consulted or considered around the 3 months of disruption caused by the Market Place redevelopment? 

 

6)    Kishor Darbar to the Leader of the Council for a written response:

 

I write in respect of the Council meeting that's due to take place on Thursday 23 May regarding the work taking place in Grantham marketplace to express my views. As the owner of the Conduit Tea Gardens, I am materially affected by this work and yet was never offered the opportunity for consultation on the matter, which is a disgrace! 

 

When we first considered opening the Conduit Tea Gardens in 1987, Grantham market was the thriving, bustling hub of the community. We were certain, from our market research, that a café such as the Conduit could only thrive within the heart of such a hive of activity. It took us 11 months to put the café together with substantial personal investment and for the first few years we prospered as hoped. With the state of the marketplace as it is now, I would never have chosen to make such an investment.

 

Fast forward to 1995, and the closing of Grantham Leisure Centre together with the adjoining car park was the first death knell for the marketplace and consequently for our trade. Then came in Asda superstore in 1998 and footfall and trade has never since reached pre-Asda levels. This in itself was difficult, but not content with the introduction of a giant Asda, the council then considered pedestrianisation of the Market Place in 2011 as a legitimate option. This, quite clearly, was also a disaster, and put further pressure on trade. We have not seen the benefit from pedestrianisation that was promised. Instead, it has very much affected independent traders and the Saturday market stall holders as we have seen such a huge loss of footfall. In my opinion, the market now stands at less than 25% of what it was when we first started trading. 

 

Then came 2020, and the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, with lockdowns and terrifying pressure on business that has only just ceased. Finally, we were hoping that this year may start to restore some stability for us - particularly over the summer season, where our customers do enjoy sitting outside in our peaceful garden.

 

Imagine then our dismay to find out, very much at the last minute, that this work in the marketplace was to be undertaken throughout the whole of this summer. It really is a horrifying situation for a business that is doing its level best to keep its head above water. The access to the marketplace is all but shot now and Councillor Matt Bailey agreed that when the work does start in earnest next week, the level of dust and noise created cannot be anything but severely detrimental to our trade. 

 

I understand that this Council meeting (which really should have been set before any work was agreed) was due to take place next Thursday. Clearly, I will be unable to join you in person, as my presence is vital in the café during the lunch period, so I wanted to put forward my views in writing. The Council must act fast to give the businesses in the marketplace any hope of weathering this storm created by the Council's own stupidity. It is inconceivable that we weren't consulted on the plans in the first place. We must be compensated for the severe inconvenience caused. Failure to do so, could lead to many small traders and businesses in the marketplace getting further into debt and potentially going under - thereby leaving the marketplace in a much worse position than prior to any work having been considered. We will not rest until we receive this compensation and look forward to seeing what's put in place by the Council as soon as possible.