Town mayor defends decision to hand markets to private operator

DONCASTER MAYOR Ros Jones said councillors were not able to vote on privatisation of the borough markets because of the democracy model people opted for.

Mayor Jones said the mayor and cabinet model call-in scrutiny process was the best way for backbench councillors to hold power to account.

But councillors on scrutiny panels and those taking part cannot over turn an executive decisions, only recommend amendments.

It comes after Doncaster and Mexborough markets were effectively handed over to a private operator.

She said Essex-based firm Markets Asset Management (MAM) ‘had the vision’ to ‘drive the markets’ forward following a lengthy procurement process.

An overview and scrutiny meeting last month, attended by over 20 councillors, was held in private due to concerns around the private operator

Council bosses claim the 25year contract will save the council £219,000 per year and will pay a guaranteed income for the local authority of £122,000 from both markets.

MAM has told the council it is committed to investing £2.21m in the first five years and £3.86m over the next 20 years in Doncaster Market.

The private operator allocated £90,000 in the first five years for Mexborough with £2,000 per year for 20 years after that.

Mexborough First leader Coun Andy Pickering said the decision was ‘bulldozed’ through the executive because officers and ruling members feared they would lose a free vote in the chamber.

Mayor Jones said: “The mayoral system and cabinet function along with the scrutiny process was voted in by the people of Doncaster.

“Therefore, they are not councillor decisions – they’ve got their ability to influence at scrutiny with all the facts presented there.”