Now I'm slightly confused.
Your figures show an overwhelming desire on the part of the market traders to have 6 day opening in one form or another. If your ballot had gone ahead, presumably 21 out of 27 would vote for 6 day trading, since your straw poll says they are either in favour or wanti it to be optional. I thought you said they were all against it.
But why on earth would the Mayor "disallow your figures as evidence on the basis that it is not legally admissible"?
Evidence for what? Members werent being asked for any final decisions on 6 day opening. In my experience, all sorts of dodgy material has always been circulated at Council meetings, and it has never been considered something on which officers should be dragged into. It is for members to decide on its relevance, not officers.
After all, we are talking about a Council meeting, not the Central Criminal Court at the Old Bailey!
It sounds to me as if Councillor Haworth has judged the market traders mood correctly by pushing for 5 1/2 day opening as a sort of "half way house".