Environmental Health respond to reopening Honiton Market

The reopening of Honiton Market has been the topic of much debate recently, as to whether or not it is safe given the current situation with coronavirus.

On Friday, 5 June, Honiton Town Council voted for a second time in favour of reopening the market, which went ahead on Saturday - despite concerns from East Devon District Council.

Honiton Nub News contacted Environmental Health, who responded to the following questions raised.

What documents do you require from Honiton Town Council to show that they have planned a safe market?

A plan of the stallholders, lines of queues and pedestrian flow and a Covid-19 security risk assessment, which is required by government legislation.

Have HTC provided the documents you require?

They have provided us with a basic risk assessment.

What are your objections to the market in its current form?

Our objections to the market taking place in its current form are based on the risk assessment Honiton Town Council has provided.

Cllr Paul Hayward, Cabinet Portfolio Member for Economy, Asset Management and Regeneration, said: "East Devon District Council is working with all smaller town and parish authorities across the district to ensure that the economic recovery from the Covid-19 crisis is coordinated, consistent and managed, and the issue of Honiton Town market is no exception to that objective.

"The decision to reopen the market was made by Honiton Town Council alone as a sovereign Local Authority with jurisdiction over its own amenities and, as such, EDDC has no wish to interfere with, or comment upon, their democratic right to reach that decision.

"That is purely a matter for the Mayor and Councillors of Honiton Town Council and they must act in accordance with their standing orders in such respects.

"However, in order to fulfil our Environmental Health responsibilities, Officers from East Devon District Council have reasonably and politely sought specific information from the Town Council - based upon the strict legislative requirements passed down from Westminster, over which we have no control - to provide evidence that the market can be operated and managed to ensure absolute safety to traders and members of the public alike.

"To date, the information received has not been as comprehensive as we would have wished. Communications between EDDC and HTC are continuing.

"It is because of this delicate balancing act - between wanting to get Honiton "back to normal" whilst adhering to the prescriptive national rules on public safety and health - that there have been reports of some conflict and disagreement between the Town, and District, Council.

"This is not the case. We are simply doing the job that residents expect us to do - safeguarding public health and safety for all.

"The District Council has a responsibility to keep its residents and visitors safe, and we will continue to ask for the necessary information from any local authority providing market amenities at this time of transition to allow us to discharge that duty, with diligence, professionalism and a 'can do' attitude."