Agenda item

5.1

The Chief Licensing Officer submitted a report to consider an application, under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, for the grant of a Static Street Trading Consent for Devonshire Green, Sheffield City Centre (Case No. 63/16).

5.2

Present at the meeting were Ian Pointon (Applicant), Andy Ruston (Licensing Enforcement and Technical Officer), Marie-Claire Frankie (Solicitor to the Sub-Committee) and John Turner (Democratic Services).

5.3

Marie-Claire Frankie outlined the procedure which would be followed during the hearing.

5.4

Andy Ruston presented the report, and it was noted that comments on the application had been received from Lucy Bond, Planning Development Team Manager, and were attached at Appendix ‘B’ to the report.

5.5

Ian Pointon stated that he was aware that there were issues in terms of the application not fully meeting the requirements of the City Centre Qualitative Criteria for Street Trading, but stressed that the colour and design of the trailer would not have an adverse effect on the local surroundings.  He added that the trailer was eco-friendly, and that the food on offer would be all locally sourced, and of good quality. 

5.6

In response to questions from Members of, and the Solicitor to, the Sub-Committee, Mr Pointon stated that to get the trailer on site, it would have be towed as far as possible, then moved into position by hand.  Although he had not spoken to any Council officers with regard to the style and design of the trailer, he had discussed this with a number of shop owners in the area, who had indicated that they had no issues.  Whilst he accepted that the trailer did not meet the Council’s City Centre Qualitative Criteria in terms of its size, he indicated that it would be difficult to find a suitable trailer to enable him to operate as he planned, and that he had seen other catering vans in the City Centre which were bigger than his.  Mr Pointon stated that he had traded in other areas of the City, and had used the trailer for catering purposes at a number of weddings and other events.  Whilst he would not wish to change the colour of the trailer, he indicated that he would be happy to consider any suggestions in terms of amendments to its design in order to make it more attractive.  The trailer met all the necessary health and safety requirements.

5.7

RESOLVED: That the public and press and attendees involved in the application be excluded from the meeting before further discussion takes place on the grounds that, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, if those persons were present, there would be a disclosure to them of exempt information as described in paragraph 5 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended.

5.8

Marie-Claire Frankie reported orally, giving legal advice on various aspects of the application.

5.9

At this stage in the proceedings, the meeting was re-opened to the public and press and attendees.

5.10

RESOLVED: That, following consideration of the information contained in the report now submitted, together with the information now reported, the meeting be adjourned pending a site visit, to allow Members to view the trailer in the context of its surroundings.