Darlington council criticised for not regaining control of market
A council report discussed behind closed doors on Tuesday (February 4) was understood to include information about a new commercial relationship between the leaseholder Market Asset Management (MAM) and Darlington Borough Council.
Councillors were told the local authority is seeking to “recast its relationship” with MAM as it cannot operate alone and that stakeholders are required to drive the site forward.
The local Labour Party pledged to take over the indoor market ahead of the 2023 local elections after years of uncertainty.
Speaking after the meeting, Conservative leader Jonathan Dulston said: “They had a manifesto commitment in 2023 in which they said they would regain control of the market if they were re-elected. Tonight’s report gave them the opportunity to do that.
“Yet again, the Labour Party have gone against what they promised and decided to vote against that opportunity. The Labour Party promised one thing and absolutely turned their back once they got re-elected. They have shown their true colours.”
MAM was tasked with improving the building in 2017 when the then Labour-led council relinquished responsibility.
It has overseen a significant redevelopment of the market that has included creating a new street food area and an enhanced focus on hosting events to attract a younger and wider demographic of visitors. Despite the reported progress several traditional traders, some operating within the market for decades, have closed.
Cllr Dulston questioned the council’s decision to discuss the update behind closed doors “given the severity of what’s in the report and the highly sensitive public response”.
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He added: “It doesn’t seem very transparent like the council we were promised in 2023. From what I can see, there’s very little commercial sensitivity around the decision.”
But the local authority’s chief executive, Ian Williams, said the discussions followed the same process set in 2017, when it was agreed that MAM would receive a commercial loan.
The report is not able to be viewed by the press or public due to commercial sensitivity.