Agenda and minutes

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Street Trading Consent report.

The Licensing Team Leader introduced the report relating to an application from Marketplace Europe Limited for a street trading consent to operate the 2021 Cheltenham Christmas market.   The market would operate from 24 November to 23 December, with the proposal to be located on the pedestrianised area outside Cavendish House on the Promenade, along the Long Gardens and Imperial Gardens to the Queens Hotel.

Representations both for and against this application had been received and most of the 24 objections related to the impact this would have on a couple of existing markets operated by Cotswold Markets Limited who would not have a location for their markets. However the objections had now largely been discharged as agreement had been reached over new locations along the High Street for the Cotswold Markets.  Members would also have to approve the alternative locations for Mr Danter’s roundabout and Mr Raviv Hadad’s falafel stall, if they approved the main application.

In response to questions from members, the Officer replied:

·         With regard to temporary positions falling within normal street trading locations, the falafel stall would only relocate a little further towards the junction with Winchcombe Street and so would still be within those bounds; the Danter’s roundabout would move further down the High Street nearer the junction with Cambray Place and this was not in a permitted street trading area.  However this was only for 3 weekends and this would not impact on future applications or set a precedent as each application had to be dealt with on its own merit.  However the Officer stated it would be preferable to find a long term solution to this, so that this was not repeated next year.

·         In a normal year, discussions were held with the two different market operators to discuss when they would be on site and where, to avoid any clashes.

·         Stall holders rent should not increase and their market share should not reduce as the new proposed location could accommodate the same amount of stalls.

·         The objections were submitted before discussions were held with Cotswold Markets and Mr Joynes was happy with the new proposals on location and satisfied he could sell it to his traders.

·         Regarding using an outside company for the Christmas market and pushing aside local businesses, this was beyond the Council’s control.  The bidding process was handled by the BID and Marketplace Europe were awarded it and Cotswold Markets were unsuccessful.

Mr Pigeon, Operations Manager from Marketplace Europe, was invited to speak in support of the application.  He explained that he had tendered for this contract in March 2020 and been successful and that he operated weekly markets across the UK with Christmas markets in Bath, Glasgow and Belfast amongst others.  He emphasised that he wanted to work with and include as many local traders and businesses as possible.  It was not his ethos to come in and take over he wanted to add value to the town centre and local businesses.  He said all the stalls would be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Response to Consultation regarding Common Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Standards.

The Licensing Team Leader reported on the response to the consultation, outlining the main points and those with particular relevance to Cheltenham.  He stated that the same standards would apply across the whole of the county and that as there had not been any feedback on the consultation from the trade, assumed that there were no objections.

Members stated it was an excellent and very thorough policy and good that licensing standards for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire was all being brought into line across Gloucestershire.  Members wished to thank Gloucestershire Licensing Officers for their work to make licensing safer in the county and were happy for the policy to be implemented.

Members agreed to:

1.   Note the revisions to the revised policy as outlined in the report; and

2.   For their positive comments to be submitted to Cabinet, as lead consultee to the Cabinet Member Customer & Regulatory Services.

The Licensing Team Leader up-dated members on the appeal regarding 131 which was scheduled for the end of the month.  The Council was being represented by a Barrister, with local residents, businesses and councillors participating and there were no representations.  He hoped the decision should be known before the next full committee meeting in September.