Agenda item - Draft Scrap Metal Licensing Policy - Consultation Results

Agenda item

Draft Scrap Metal Licensing Policy - Consultation Results

Minutes:

The Committee received a report which detailed the consultation responses received on the draft Scrap Metal Licensing Policy and Guidelines for the licensing of scrap metal sites and collectors in the District and the finalised version of the Scrap Metal Licensing Policy and Guidelines following consultation.

 

The Senior Practitioner, Licensing, Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS), introduced the report and in doing so reminded the Committee that the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 (the Act), came into force on 1st October 2013, with full enforcement powers coming into effect on 1st December 2013. 

 

A draft Scrap Metal Licensing Policy and Guidelines was produced in order to provide clear guidance as to how the Council would administer and enforce the requirements of the Act. 

 

The draft Scrap Metal Licensing Policy and Guidelines were prepared in accordance with the Act and the regulations that governed it.  At the Licensing Committee meeting held on 13th June 2016, Members approved the draft Scrap Metal Licensing Policy and Guidelines for the purpose of consultation.

 

Consultation subsequently took place with the relevant partners and representatives of the metal recycling industry.  Only one response was received, as detailed at Appendix 1 to the report.  The response was received from Mr. Robin Edwards a Director of Obis Consultancy, who was part of the team that drafted the guidance on the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, when the Act was first being implemented.  Members were asked to note that Mr. Edwards saw no issues with the draft Scrap Metal Licensing Policy and Guidelines and wished to commend the Council for reinforcing the importance of the Act to the recycling industry.

 

The Senior Practitioner, Licensing, WRS responded to questions from Members and highlighted that a multi-agency enforcement check had been carried out which had also involved the Environment Agency.  No legal action had been taken as a result of those checks. 

 

The first set of renewal applications was due at the end of November 2016. Should Members approve the Scrap Metal Licensing Policy and Guidelines, as detailed at Appendix 1 to the report, a copy of the approved document would be sent out with all renewal applications for help and guidance.

 

The Senior Practitioner, Licensing, WRS further informed and reassured the Committee that, as highlighted in Mr. Edward’s response, with regard to reports of cash returning on a daily basis; there appeared to be no evidence of the use of cash re-emerging for the payment of scrap metal in the Worcestershire area.  Scrap metal dealers must only pay for scrap metal by either:-

 

a)    a cheque (which was not transferable under Section 81A of the Bills of Exchange Act 1882); or

b)    electronic transfer of funds (authorised by a credit, debit card or otherwise). 

 

As set out in the Act it was a legal requirement for scrap metal dealers to keep and produce two types of records and an audit trail detailing the receipt of scrap metal and the disposal of scrap metal. 

 

Councillor M. T. Buxton stated that there had been a noticeable decline in the number of complaints received regards mobile collectors and the noise made by some of those mobile collectors.

 

RESOLVED:

(a)  that the response received to the draft Scrap Metal Licensing Policy and Guidelines be noted; and

(b)  that the draft Scrap Metal Licensing Policy and Guidelines, as detailed at Appendix 1 to the report be approved.

Supporting documents: