Investigation report published
An investigation was carried out after a trader at Birkenhead Market complained about incorrect information at a committee meeting.
The complaints included concerns that responses to questions put by traders and members of the public at the Economy, Regeneration & Housing (ER&H) Committee regarding increases to Market rents were "dishonest". Other allegations were that people were not allowed to participate in committee meetings, including asking questions and submitting documents.
The findings detailed that although rents for existing market traders were not increased, the proposed rental amounts charged to new or existing traders for additional units were increased to the average rent level.
Marcus Shaw, who is now Wirral Council's interim director for regeneration and place, has written to Cllr Tony Jones, the Chair of the ERH committee, formally apologising that "Officers at the ERH committee have previously referred to how rents are set at the existing market and that the detail that was provided at a previous committee was factually incorrect."
The full report is published here on the council website. It includes findings, recommendations, and an action plan.
The action plan outlines measures to ensure greater transparency in the future, better record keeping following a planned review, and ensuring Birkenhead Market rental policy and rent levels are transparent and available to the public/market traders.
