Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 21^st May 2025.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 21^st May 2025 were confirmed and signed.  

To disclose any pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interests as set out in the adopted Code of Conduct. In making their disclosure councillors are asked to state the agenda item, the nature of the interest and any action they propose to take as part of their declaration. If required, further advice should be sought from the Monitoring Officer Public Document Pack Public Document Pack in advance of the meeting.

Cllr Les Fry declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in agenda item 5 as he was a member of the Town Council and the Local Ward Member. It was agreed that Cllr Fry would participate in the meeting.

Cllr Jill Haynes declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in agenda item 5 as she was a member of the Dorchester Market Advisory Panel. It was agreed that Cllr Haynes would participate in the meeting.

Cllr Sarah Williams declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in agenda item 5 as she was a member of the Dorchester Market Advisory Panel. It was agreed that Cllr Williams would participate in the meeting.

Representatives of town or parish councils and members of the public who live, work, or represent an organisation within the Dorset Council area are welcome to submit either 1 question or 1 statement for each meeting.  You are welcome to attend the meeting in person or via MS Teams to read out your question and to receive the response.   If you submit a statement for the committee this will be circulated to all members of the committee in advance of the meeting as a supplement to the agenda and appended to the minutes for the formal record but will not be read out at the meeting. The first 8 questions and the first 8 statements received from members of the public or organisations for each meeting will be accepted on a first come first served basis in accordance with the deadline set out below.  Further information read

Public Participation - Dorset Council

All submissions must be emailed in full to [email protected] by 8.30am on Monday 26^th January 2026.

When submitting your question or statement please note that: 

·       You can submit 1 question or 1 statement.

·       a question may include a short pre-amble to set the context.

·       It must be a single question, and any sub-divided questions will not be permitted.

·       Each question will consist of no more than 450 words, and you will be given up to 3 minutes to present your question.

·       when submitting a question please indicate who the question is for (e.g., the name of the committee or Portfolio Holder) 

·       Include your name, address, and contact details. Only your name will be published but we may need your other details to contact you about your question or statement in advance of the meeting. 

·       questions and statements received in line with the council’s rules for public participation will be published as a supplement to the agenda. 

·       all questions, statements and responses will be published in full within the minutes of the meeting.  

There was no public participation.  

To consider the council entering into a concession agreement, as set out in draft in Appendix 1, with Dorchester Town Council for the provision of Fairfield and Cornhill Markets.

Graham Duggan, Head of Regulatory Services, highlighted the history of the markets and how they had been managed and operated. He noted that the Dorchester Markets Panel comprised members of Dorset Council and Dorchester Town Council, with responsibility for overseeing the markets. He advised that the current market operators had been in place for the past 25 years and that the operating lease was due to expire later this year, prompting consideration of future options.

Members were informed that options included going out to competitive tender for a new operator, or progressing an expression of interest received from Dorchester Town Council. The Markets Panel had recommended the Town Council option, as this would help operational flexibility and maximise income. It was noted that this recommendation required amendments to the Panel’s terms of referencewhich had been done.

Dorchester Town Council had considered the contents of the report and confirmed that it was content to proceed with a draft operating agreement. The purpose of the report presented was to secure agreement for the future operation of the markets. Members were reminded of the respective responsibilities of each authority, and it was noted that closer operational involvement was considered to be a beneficial arrangement.

Cllr Derek Beer noted that the report contained a substantial amount of background information and aligned with the strategic direction of Dorset Council.

Cllr Jill Haynes advised that she had already declared an interest, having been involved in the matter for some time. She noted that the recommended option had not previously been possible, but that the current proposal represented a suitable change which would benefit the town and encourage economic activity.

Referring to page 15 of the report, Cllr Haynes requested an amendment to the wording to ensure it reflected that the trustee responsibilities were aligned to the Council roles rather than the individuals named.

Graham Duggan, Head of Regulatory Services, advised that he liaise with legal colleagues and add the necessary clarity regarding the wording of the policy

Proposed by Cllr Emma Parker, seconded by Cllr Craig Monks.

Decision: The committee agreed to:

Approve the Council entering into a concession agreement, as set out in draft in Appendix 1, with Dorchester Town Council for the provision of Fairfield and Cornhill Markets.

To consider any items of business which the Chairman has had prior notification and considers to be urgent pursuant to section 100B (4) b) of the Local Government Act 1972. The reason for the urgency shall be recorded in the minutes.

There were no urgent items. 

To move the exclusion of the press and the public for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph 3 of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended). The public and the press will be asked to leave the meeting whilst the item of business is considered.

There are no exempt items scheduled for this meeting.

There was no exempt business