Agenda item

Councillor Thomas Dyer, Leader of the Opposition, proposed the following motion:

‘Earlier in 2023 the Labour City Council Executive took the decision to scrap the much-loved Lincoln Christmas Market – following a successful 2022 Christmas Market that attracted 320,000 people to our city. As we approach what would have been another Christmas Market, there continues to be significant public outcry for the return of our Christmas Market.The City Council’s alternative events program does not and will never replace the Christmas Market.

The City of Lincoln Council formally call upon the Labour Executive to reconsider their decision to cancel the market and make alternative plans for a safe and workable 2024 Lincoln Christmas Market’.

Councillor Thomas Dyer confirmed that Lincoln’s famous Christmas Market placed Lincoln on the national and global stage. He added that the motion had not disregarded the significant health and safety concerns of the Safety Advisory Group (SAG) and the requirement for change and modernisation. The issues that plagued the Christmas Market were not underestimated.

Councillor Thomas Dyer added that the motion requested the commencement of a process rather than the arrival to a conclusion or disregard of advice. The decision to cancel the Christmas Market continued to be highly debated on social media, despite the passing of many months since the decision was formally taken. Lincoln’s Christmas light were beautiful but they had not been a satisfactory replacement for the market which continued to be sorely missed. The budget for 2024 would not rise in line with inflation and as such, was essentially cut.

Councillor Rachel Storer, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, seconded the motion and reserved the right to speak.

Councillor Chris Burke highlighted the deep safety concerns received from the Safety Advisory Group; a multi-agency approach who spoke without ambiguity. He expressed concerns that the Leader of the Opposition had proposed a motion which considered a disregard for safety advice. Lincoln would discover a new way to enjoy Christmas.

Councillor Hilton Spratt confirmed that the city Council’s Executive took the decision to disperse of Lincoln’s famous Christmas Market, in February 2023 when Councillor Neil Murray was Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth. He highlighted that Councillor Murray, as relevant Portfolio Holder at the time, was not consulted with prior to the decision being made. He expressed disappointment that the decision appeared to have been made by a small number of individuals and his view was that it should have been taken on the basis of consultation.

Councillor Chris Burke, in response to Councillor Hilton Spratt, expressed a Point of Order. He confirmed that the decision was taken by the Executive, as a collective and highlighted that Councillor Hilton Spratt was not in attendance.

Councillor Gary Hewson confirmed that Councillors Thomas Dyer and Rachel Storer had expressed their concerns during the subsequent call in, presented to the Select Scrutiny Committee. He added that a detailed report had been received by officers which had considered alternative provisions such as an extension of the event and why that was not feasible. The Health and Safety advice had been made clear. He confirmed that the market could not be carried on in the area that is had been as crowd control could not be ensured. He would not be in agreement to an event that had the potential to cause injury as human life was valued much more than the Christmas Market. His view was that the correct decision had been taken, not only for the residents of Lincoln.

Councillor Eddie Strengiel highlighted that there was minutes available, of the meeting of the Executive whereby the decision was taken and consideration of the minutes in respect of the discussion, would be useful. He confirmed that the market became a victim of its own success. He added that attendance to large events often required a ticket and therefore, it was not within the realms of impossibility to reintroduce the market as a ticketed event to control visitor numbers. His view was that with the correct management, the market could be a success once again as a great asset to the city. He recognised that Steep Hill caused problems with access however added that on level, flat ground, it would be easier to manage. A great amount of revenue was brought into the city from stall holders. He addressed concerns that stall holder did not make much money and confirmed that it could have been a result of visitor that struggled to access stalls due to continual movement. His view was that the market could be made viable once again.

Councillor Ric Metcalfe, Leader of the Council expressed his view that the motion was frivolous and opportunistic. He added that the Council did not disperse of a much-loved event, that had been carefully planned and held in such affection for forty years, without thought and careful consideration. He added that it was not necessary to remind the city Council of the affection held for the market nor the economic significance. He reminded Members that the report presented to the Executive on 20 February 2023, was thorough and detailed. The message received was clear; the predicted increase in visitor numbers for future years would have created an unsafe event. The implications of the advice received could have been serious.

The space in a historic city was restricted and there were 577,000 people movements within Castle Square alone in 2022. He expressed disappointment that a motion would call on the Council to return to an event that evidently damaged safety and the visitor experience of people that visited Lincoln. He referred to the adverse reaction on social media and confirmed that the reputation of the city had become adversely affected.

He added that although not a material consideration of the final decision, infrastructure costs in 2022 were £750,000 to ensure the event was safe and it was expected that costs for 2023 would rise significantly. He expressed an interest in proposals from the Opposition on an extension of the footprint and a predication of associated costs. He concluded that as a responsible public body, it was a situation that could not be allowed and recommended a rejection of the motion.

Councillor Martin Christopher confirmed that a number of residents had contacted him and did not want to see the end of the Lincoln Christmas Market. He added that the Lincolnite had been informed of the decision prior to Members and his view was that it was undemocratic. He confirmed that many residents expressed a desire for a Member vote on the subject. His view was that anything became possible with safety if time and effort were to be invested into it. He felt the decision had been taken quickly and without the views of Members which he felt was wrong.

Councillor Naomi Tweddle seconded the opposition to the Motion. She confirmed that she represented Minster Ward which covered half of the Lincoln Christmas Market. She shared contact she had received from residents that had welcomed the cancellation of the market and expressed a strong opposition to a proposed return. It was important to balance the debate.

The new events programme had been designed to spread visitor numbers across a full year and attempted to avoid the visitor issues that were experienced at the Christmas market in 2022. As a result, the economic stimulus and social media influence was spread across a full year. In addition, the new events programme offered a diverse choice, ensured there was an event that suited everyone and offered value for money. The city Council continued to support and sponsor Lincoln Pride and Steampunk. The new events programme resulted in approximately 17% increased footfall in September 2023 and had reached over 230,000 people on social media.

The Monster Invasion experienced 63,324 people movements on 28 October 2023 in the Bailgate area alone. During the weekend of 28 October – 29 October 2023 there were more people in the Bailgate area than in the city centre and reached over 800,000 people on social media. She expressed her thanks to Simon Walters, Strategic Director of Communities and Environment and his team for their hard work and feedback received had been positive; some businesses had experienced an increase of over 20%.

Councillor Naomi Tweddle concluded that the Lincoln Ice Trail was upcoming and included a sculpture trail, stilt walkers, characters from Frozen, a carousel and christmas singing. It was hoped that events would encourage footfall in the city centre as well as the Bailgate. Lincoln was a photogenic place.

Councillor David Clarkson confirmed that nobody had suggested an unsafe event. He highlighted that the Safety Advisory Group had confirmed that the Christmas Market was not safe in the form that it was in. He added that an expanded time frame for the event, which included Christmas holidays, would better enable the control of footfall. He confirmed that 17% attended the market on the Thursday, 23.5% attended on the Friday, over 44% attended on the Saturday and 14.7% attended on the Sunday. Therefore, Saturday was almost twice as busy as the Friday. He highlighted that the issue was Saturday, not the other days of the Christmas Market and the motion requested a consultation to be commenced.

He concluded with a comparison to York Christmas Market whereby there had been safety concerns which had been resolved. Other events did not make up for the Christmas Market; an internationally recognised event.

Note: Councillor Hilton Spratt left proceedings at 19:46

Councillor Calum Watt confirmed that further to the cancellation of the Christmas Market, some businesses within the Boultham Ward felt more included and a part of Christmas in Lincoln. He confirmed that he deemed the motion to be disingenuous, further to the receipt of safety advice from the Police, Ambulance and Fire Service. He added that the resources required for additional infrastructure in order to support a longer market, was not available due to a lack of resources provided by central Government. He acknowledged that there had been disappointment in the dispersal of the Christmas Market, however it was the decision was a responsible one.

Note: Councillor Hilton Spratt returned to proceedings at 19:50

Councillor Rachel Storer, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, using her right to speak, expressed her disappointment in the decision further to a lack of public consultation. The motion did not underestimate the health and safety issues further to the 2022 Christmas Market. The motion sought dialogue to enable Members’ participation. She confirmed that the motion did not suggest a return to the market in the historical format. The Safety Advisory Group had confirmed that the market was not safe however offered recommendations which did not include cancellation of the event.

Innovation and Christmas spirit were required to bring back a safe Christmas Market in 2024. She concluded that many businesses in the Bailgate area were unsure of their future due to the cancellation of the Market. The motion sought consultation on views for a workable event in the future.

Councillor Thomas Dyer, Leader of the Opposition, using his right of reply, confirmed that safety had been mentioned in the motion raised and the call in of the decision took place after the decision had been taken by the Executive. He added that there were large scale events all over the world which remained safe. He noted that whilst the new events programme was positive, the focus of the motion was on the Christmas Market and consideration could be given to both.

He expressed disappointment that a debate on the topic had been scheduled for Radio 4 on today’s date, however, was subsequently cancelled as the Leader of the Council declined to participate. His view was that the Leader of the Council refused to explain himself to the public. The Conservative party acknowledged and accepted that the Market needed to change. Councillor Thomas Dyer reflected on safety concerns that had been known about for many years prior to the dispersal and therefore, suggested that prior planning should have taken place. He confirmed that he had been a Councillor since 2016 and officers had never before briefed Members on safety concerns.

He added that as a democratic body, this meeting was the first time all thirty-three Members had discussed the Executive’s decision. It was positive that all democratically elected members were able to discuss and debate the motion. He concluded that a senior member of the Lincolnshire Police had confirmed, via email, that the Police remained happy to work with event organisers in the creation of a safe Christmas Market in the future.

Councillor Thomas Dyer formally requested a recorded vote on the motion.

Further to a show of hands and in accordance with the prescribed requirements under Council Procedural Rule 19.4, a recorded vote was agreed and taken on the motion, the result of which were as follows:

Having been proposed and seconded and being put to the vote it was RESOLVED that the motion be declared lost.