Agenda item

5.1

The Chief Licensing Officer submitted a report informing Members of the results of a consultation process recently undertaken in relation to mobile street trading which sits within the Street Trading Policy and seeking approval from the Committee on the proposed amendments and to update the policy to reflect the changes.  The consultation letter issued to interested parties was attached at Appendix A to the report and responses from the consultees were attached at Appendix B.

5.2

In attendance for this item were Shimla Finch, Principal Licensing Officer, Mr. J. McNeil, Mr. P. Chafer and Mr. S. Ali (Street Traders).

5.3

Shimla Finch presented the report and stated that after the introduction of the Street Trading Policy in October, 2012, a number of concerns from local shopkeepers and mobile street traders had been received regarding the restrictions and/or conditions which had been placed on existing consents and the impact from those that trade illegally or were in breach of their conditions. 

5.4

Shimla Finch stated that a petition had been received asking the Council to relax the conditions imposed by the Policy and she said it was proposed to split the traders into two clear, distinct categories; one was for the sale of fruit and vegetables only and the other category was for the sale of ice cream and other proposed changes were listed in paragraph 3.1 of the report. 

5.5

In response to questions from the street traders and Members, she stated that the proposals were not intended to be restrictive as there were alternative types of street trading consents that traders could apply for.  She added that it was the aim of the Licensing Service to identify an effective system which would work throughout the City and that, if any further complaints were received, the Policy would be reviewed again.

5.6

RESOLVED: That the public and press and attendees 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.

5.7

The Solicitor to the Committee reported orally, giving legal advice on the various aspects of the report.

5.8

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

5.9

RESOLVED: That, following consideration of the report, approval be given to the amendments to the Street Trading Policy as outlined in the report.