27 Oct 2023
A former district councillor has been cleared of any wrongdoing following an official investigation into allegations made by a group of Charter Market traders.
Mandy McNeil was accused of making several false statements over changes in market management procedures introduced in 2020 because of Covid restrictions.
The complaint claimed she gave a false impression that all traders supported a change from stalls to gazebos, wanted extra seating on the market, and that the National Market Traders Federation had been involved in developing new terms and conditions for the market.
The complainant also claimed there had been no show of hands in favour of a potential switch to gazebos at a meeting of market traders in February 2020 and insisted Mandy had made several other false claims at public meetings and on Radio Verulam concerning discussions between SADC and traders changes in the market operation.
An independent third party appointed by SADC was involved in the production of a 23-page report assessing the allegations in depth. The report notes that the complaint was made by one person, purportedly representing 31 of 100 business traders at the time and concluded that there had been no breaches of the council code of conduct on any point and, most importantly, no dishonesty.
The report further notes the ‘show of hands’ was confirmed by other traders and in officer reports to council committees.
It includes a statement made at a 2021 trader meeting by the main complainant: “The gazebo situation has never been a problem for any of us. ”We just wanted it to be safe, legal and go through the usual processes and procedures, which hasn’t happened so far. A lot of us just want something that is there for us. Once all the paperwork is completed and shown to the various committees then we will be happy. Labour intensive work is not why we come to work. This is not a festival.”
The report confirmed that the National Market Traders Federation, while not necessarily agreeing with some of the outcomes, had fed in their views, and noted that the Radio Verulam interview did not contain comments Mandy was purported to have made.
Video recordings and minutes from various council meetings discussing the market restructuring and al fresco seating did not support the negative assertions made by the complainants. Minutes from trader meetings showed no indication of threats traders would lose their pitches if they did not agree to new terms and conditions, with an officer noting that traders were not expected to sign new terms before returning to trade once Covid-lockdown restrictions on non-essential businesses were removed.
Mandy said after the finding: “The complaint and subsequent social media posts appears to be largely based around a theory that the introduction of gazebos was part of a masterplan predating Covid, and that’s not true.
“Government declared a national state of emergency and closed the country down. We wanted to support traders and were also worried about the food supply chain, so keeping the market going was a main priority.
“A market trader, terrified of losing his livelihood, wrote to me proposing traders be allowed to bring their own gazebos and thanks to us following his suggestion, we were able to keep the market going.
“Public Health England, which was in charge at the time, agreed with this plan, so St Albans was able to have a market when most markets around the country had closed, some for up to 12 months.
“Weeks after the country went into lockdown, SADC officers advised the council leader that the impact of Covid on finances, combined with a government lag in reimbursing local authorities, meant drastic budget cuts
were necessary to maintain adequate reserves in order to continue to deliver core essential services to residents and we were at risk of having no market.
“This was the catalyst for the restructuring. The move to a gazebo market until SADC finances recovered was due to lack of funding, no more, no less.
“The strategy to support Charter Market traders during Covid included a cash grant to cover expenses, such as the cost of a gazebo, available to all traders who applied before the deadline, including traders who did not live in St Albans.
“Extra markets and community hubs saved several businesses, including some traders, and helped keep the city centre vibrant during a state of national emergency. Several current Charter Market traders got a start on the temporary markets, so it’s great to learn trader numbers are increasing.
Mandy represented Sopwell ward between 2019 and 2022.
She was nominated by a selection of businesses and residents for a national LGIA 2020 Councillor of the Year and was one of four shortlisted.
She chose not to stand for a second term in large part because of trolling she received as a result of the Charter Market complaint, which she continues to receive from some conspiracy theorists, as this has had a debilitating impact on her wellbeing and that of her family.
Since leaving politics she has remained busy in the local community.
She added: “Covid had a tremendous impact, including entrepreneurship and a coming together of local businesses and community.
“I’ve been a volunteer with St Albans Action for Homeless and Save St Albans pubs since 2018, am a local business owner, volunteer on the BID (Business Improvement District) board, and am part of a WhatsApp community of around 140 local retail and hospitality businesses including several Charter Market traders.
“We all worked together during Covid to support local independent businesses and traders who needed help, and with the local community on initiatives including the community hubs, business interruption insurance claims, feeding the homeless and school kids and advocating with government at all levels for support, and that collaboration continues today.
“Market traders, businesses and community groups working together to support each other and our local community is part of what makes St Albans such an amazing place to live and work.”
