Issue - meetings

The Board considered a report which reminded Members of the previous decision to review the operation of the Street Trading Policy after it had been in operation for 6 months. Reference was made to the preliminary questions which had been put to the Licensing Manager and her answers, as set out at Appendix 1 of the report.  Officers advised Members that all Councillors had been given the opportunity to put forward any concerns they had about the Policy, or particular issues within their Ward.  An issue had been raised in respect of a farm shop and Officers confirmed that this was being investigated.

Members discussed the following areas in more detail:

• Whether “tatters” (mobile scrap metal dealers) came under the jurisdiction of the Street Trading Policy.   Officers felt it was unlikely that they would need Street Trading Consent, but agreed to investigate the issue further.
• Members were concerned that Mobile Hot Food Takeaway vehicles which were parked in lay-bys did not meet food hygiene regulations or disposed of waste appropriately.  Officers confirmed that checks were made, prior to the issue of a Street Trading Consent, to ensure that all necessary regulations would be met.  Officers also confirmed that the enforcement of the Street Trading Consents would be delivered by officers from the Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS).
• Members asked if the fee structure was in line with other areas.  Officers advised that this had been calculated by taking an average of the fees charged by all districts throughout Worcestershire.

The Board discussed any legislative powers that would restrict Ice Creams vehicles from parking outside schools, as they were aware that Hillingdon Borough Council had recently banned ice cream vendors from certain areas.  The Senior Solicitor confirmed that the legislation that Hillingdon Borough Council had relied on was unique to London and therefore not applicable within the Bromsgrove District.  However, it may be possible to give consideration to such a restriction when the new Core Strategy was in place.

Officers confirmed that the Street Trading Policy did not cover telephone canvassers or buskers. 

Members thanked Officers for a comprehensive report and after further discussion it was

RESOLVED that the Review of the Street Trading Policy be noted.