Markets decision is ‘called-in’

A meeting is to be held next week amid concerns over the future of Spalding market.

Councillors Angela Newton, Manzur Hasan and Rob Gibson have ‘called-in’ South Holland District Council’s decisions relating to the re-opening of the markets after the COVID-19 outbreak.

Market traders have expressed anger at several of the measures including the introduction of a book and pay system and the ending of council staff erecting and dismantling stalls.

As a result of the ‘Call-in’ procedure being activated a meeting of SHDC’s Performance Monitoring Panel will take place next Monday (July 13).

The panel can then request the authority’s Cabinet has another look at the decisions made.

Coun Newton told The Voice that she is concerned over the number of traders attending Spalding Market since it returned on June 16.

The report to the Call-In meeting states the councillors “do not feel full and proper information has been available to all”.

“Stalls should continue to be provided at Spalding market until the end of this financial year, or until proper and meaningful discussion is held with market traders, or their representatives.”