Issue - meetings

(Voting: unanimous in favour)

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning introduced the report and thanked the licensing officers and members of the Scrutiny Task and Finish group who had reviewed the Policy document.  She asked that the delegation to make any minor amendments to the Street Trading Policy to the Licensing Manager in consultation with the Director for Service Delivery also include herself as the Portfolio Holder.  This proposal was seconded. 

Councillor Martin Wale, Chairman of the Scrutiny Task and Finish group, advised that the extended consultation period had resulted in two main changes to the policy relating to carnivals and mobile traders such as ice cream sellers and sandwich delivery rounds requiring street trading consent. 

In response to questions from Members, the Licensing Manager advised that:-

·         The Street Trading Policy would not affect historic markets and fairs.

·         The Task and Finish group did not consider the fees and changes attached to licensing as they were set by the Licensing Committee.

·         The Licensing Committee would be guided by the policy but could take decisions outside the policy on occasions.

Councillor Nick Weeks cited a situation in Castle Cary where a charity event would be adversely affected if charity stallholders had to pay £50 for a 3 hour event.  He suggested that the Town Council could apply for a number of pitches and he offered to work on a pilot project with the licensing team. 

At the conclusion of the debate, Members were content to adopt the revised Street Trading Policy as detailed in Appendix A and confirm the recommendations of the report.

(Voting:  unanimous in favour)