Markets shake-up could spell bad news for charities

Changes proposed by Barnsley Council would also mean the town’s policy on banning commercial car boot sales and other markets in competition with with its own markets being scrapped, for fear that current rules would be unacceptable under EU anti-competition rules.

Barnsley Council has, historically, fiercely defended the town’s rights to hold markets at several locations in the borough and has barred others from organising similar events which would have been on a profit-making basis. Those who contravene the rules can face tough fines.

However, the council’s ruling cabinet group is being asked to introduce a new policy, as a result of current EU regulations.

That would mean the council opening up the town to those wanting to organise markets on a commercial basis, with officials admitting they do not know at this stage what the demand might be.

It also means voluntary and charitable groups, which are currently restricted to two ‘car boot’ style markets a year without a licence would have to pay a fee in future for any events beyond that number.

It is expected that the council will see an income of £4,000 a year from groups which are currently able to hold such events without incurring charges from the council.

Bodies such as schools, which hold events largely staffed by volunteers, will still fall outside the need to obtain a licence. But others will need to go through the official channels, with the system also opened up to commercial operators.

The council has policed such activities carefully in order to preserve its own markets, which are regarded as important to the communities they serve in providing services and jobs.

A report to the council’s cabinet states: “It is estimated that there will be approximately 50 charitable and school events and 50 non-commercial outdoor car boot sales/community markets each year which will generate £4,000 additional income per annum.

“Although there have been some enquiries regarding commercial car boot sales and specialist markets it is not possible at this moment in time to estimate what the take up will be.”

Councillors will be told when they meet today (WED): “The Council proposes to change the policy on car boot and private markets to bring it into line with market licensing policies adopted by other large cities such as Sheffield, Leeds and Manchester.

“It will also align the Council policy with European Anti-Competition legislation and will allow community groups and defined organisations to organise more market type events per annum than allowed at present, subject to them meeting certain conditions.

“Finally it will allow for the establishment of commercial car boot sales which are prohibited under the current policy. To accommodate these changes a new licence fee structure has been devised.

“It will be necessary to charge a small licence fee for charitable events in order to cover our administrative costs in issuing licences and the ongoing monitoring costs of ensuring compliance with

the policy.”

Under the proposals, some organisations such as schools would be able to organise up to two events a year without a licence, needing a £30 plus VAT licence for events beyond that. However, a scale of charges would then apply, including higher charges for non-commercial community markets, rising to a fee of £200 plus VAT for commercial events with up to 100 vendors, taking place a frequent intervals. They would also be subject to planning approval.

A decision is expected at tomorrow’s meeting of the council’s ruling Cabinet and the changes will then be pulicised, if approved.