Extension ‘has brought deluge of approval’

Extending the Christmas market in Bath prompted the biggest deluge of compliments the council leader had seen in the decade since he was first elected, he said.

Batting off accusations the decision was made without transparency or a full risk assessment, Kevin Guy said he had not heard a single complaint.

Bath BID, which represents businesses, urged cabinet members to consider an extension when they voted last month to press ahead with the event with fewer chalets, and checks to either scale it back or cancel it.

Mr Guy considered the request and announced the market would run from November 24 to December 19, seven days longer than normal.

Writing to the council leader, Labour group leader Robin Moss said: “Your decision seems to fly counter to the cabinet discussions and is certainly not an example of a ‘transparent’ administration. What changed between June 23 when cabinet agreed an 18-day market and June 30 when you alone, and behind closed doors, agreed to extend it to 25 days?”

Mr Moss, inset, asked what account had been taken of public health advice, the warning from finance boss Richard Samuel that the event could create an “unrecoverable financial risk”, or the impact on residents and businesses when Mr Guy approved the extension.

He added: “I’m sure that there is a discussion and consultation to be had about an extended and improved Christmas market, but for you alone to arbitrarily impose a new schedule in 2021 (of all years), for the decision to be taken behind closed doors and without a full financial risk assessment seems foolhardy, to put it politely.” Responding to Mr Moss, Mr Guy said: “Six full days after cabinet has made that decision and with comprehensive media coverage I have not received a single, I repeat, not a single complaint from any resident or business - in fact I have been bombarded with the biggest flood of compliments I have ever seen in 10 years of being a councillor.” He added: “The market creates jobs and wealth for all sections and demographics of our society and crucially it is a happy joyous event that brings families and the community together. “Accordingly, if safe to go ahead, it should be supported and encouraged.” Cabinet members and officers will consider at key gateway dates whether to scale back or cancel the Christmas market.