Agenda item

Report of the Cabinet Member Development and Safety

The Cabinet Member Development and Safety introduced the report and explained that the Council’s current street trading policy was approved by Council on 22 February 2013 and came into effect on 1 April 2013. A review of the policy had been undertaken by officers and Cabinet was now asked to consider the consultation feedback as laid down in Appendix 3 of the draft policy and to recommend to Council the adoption of the revised policy.

The Cabinet Member explained that the policy aimed to regulate :

1)    The location of street traders

2)    The number of street traders

3)    The types of goods to be sold or offered for sale

The scheme also aimed to :

a)    Prevent the obstruction of the streets by street trading activities

b)    Sustain established shopkeepers in the town

c)    Maintain the quality of the townscape and add value to the town

d)    Encourage inward investment

e)    Promote quality markets

f)     Promote more consistent decision making

A full list of trading locations and the permitted activities were laid down in Annex 1.

Finally, the Cabinet Member said that this policy did not fetter the council’s discretion and applications for street trading consent for locations not approved can still be made and must still be determined. In these cases officers would refer applications to the Licensing Committee in accordance with the scheme of delegation.

The Cabinet Member informed Members that the new policy sought to define appropriate locations for street trading mainly in the town centre. These locations were associated with a range of permitted goods that can be sold or offered for sales. The locations and permitted goods would be kept under regular review to ensure that street trading activity did not conflict with the retail offer and investment but also to ensure it did not detract from the investment and improvement to the town centre.

The Leader welcomed the revised policy which would provide clarity to applicants on what type of activity was likely to be approved. The Licensing Committee would decide each application on its own merits.

RESOLVED THAT

1.    the amendments to the current policy be noted

2.    the consultation feedback and officer comments be noted

3.    the draft amended policy be noted

4.     Council be recommended to adopt the revised policy.