Agenda item

Report of the Head of Community and Customer Services.

The Committee received a report of the Head of Community and Customer Services seeking Members’ approval to continue with the interim policy.

Councillor Haley suggested that it might be better to specify which products would not be permissible rather than the preferences.  He also questioned why the policy restricted competition between stallholders. 

The Licensing Manager acknowledged the comment about competition law.  The aim was to ensure that there were a variety of things available and not, for example, six ice cream stands.  The policy was flexible but there were strict criteria to manage the impact on businesses and that the goods were of a high quality.  In response to another question he explained that ‘roundsman’ was similar to a door to door salesman.

Councillor S Williams commented that this was generally a very good policy.  He asked whether it would be suitable for other parts of the town.

The Licensing Manager advised that the Council already had a street trading policy for locations outside the Town Centre.  It permitted street trading except on the main roads.  It had to be provided in a suitable safe location.  The proposed Business Improvement District may have views about more traders in the Town Centre.  It may be necessary to take another look at the policy in a year or 18 months time.

The Chair questioned whether the policy should be reviewed as it had been agreed in 2001.

The Environmental Health and Licensing Section Head responded that the policy was very flexible and there were few barriers put in the way of traders. 

Councillor Silver referred the Committee to paragraph 3.16 of the officer’s report.  He noted that some of the items listed appeared in the policy and others did not.  He asked if officers could provide an explanation.

The Environmental Health and Licensing Section Head explained that the policy referred to promoting healthy foods.  However it did not exclude those foods. 

Councillor Watkin commented that only three concessions had been granted, there did not appear to be huge demand.  He asked how officers would encourage people to apply for permits.  He also enquired whether an operator had to apply for each event individually or if they were able to apply for one permit to cover all events.

The Environmental Health and Licensing Section Head informed the Committee that officers worked with the Big Events and Communications Teams.  The policy was not a barrier to applicants.  The Big Events had only just started and as they continued it was likely the number of applications would increase.  It would be promoted as a business opportunity.

In response to a question from Councillor Taylor, the Licensing Manager confirmed that Section 4, Paragraph 6 covered reasons for refusing an application.

Following a question from Councillor Williams about the impact on the Charter Market, the Licensing Manager reported that there had been no anecdotal feedback.  The footfall counters had been installed in the Town Centre.  This would enable officers to review any impact from events, the night time economy and football matches.  The information would gradually be built up over time.

Councillor Connal had noted that there was no reference to Fairtrade goods in the policy.  She asked officers to keep this in mind when considering applications.

The Licensing Manager advised that Fairtrade goods could be added to the policy if that was agreed by the Committee.

RESOLVED –

1.      that the Committee approves the town centre street trading policy 2015-18 as attached at Appendix 1 to the report, subject to Fairtrade Goods being added.

2.      that the Head of Community and Customer Services be given delegated authority to make minor amendments to the policy in consultation with the Chair of the Committee.