Agenda item

The purpose of this report is to provide an update for the Scrutiny Committee on the implementation and delivery of Street trading since changing to a Consent designation on 2 October 2017.

This report provides an update for the Scrutiny Committee on the implementation and delivery of Street Trading since changing to a Consent designation on 2 October 2017.

Comments and questions included the following;

Question relating to paragraph 3.3. Has this led to an increase in street cleansing due to litter? The response was that the Licensing team work closely with the Streetscene team, developing a strategy for all major events to coordinate activities. There is a requirement for traders to take litter away, which is checked.

Question relating to paragraph 4.3. Has anything resulted from Street Trading which has had an adverse impact on established businesses? The response was that this has not been noticed at present. The team are mindful of possible impacts and it is a policy to review applications which conflict with local businesses.

Question relating to paragraph 5.2. There are groups such as Plastic Warriors which operate in Sidmouth effectively, so how can we encourage such groups to develop across the district?

The response was that there are other groups such as in Ottery St Mary, which operate deposit schemes to deal with plastics at events like Tar Barrels. The team will seek to encourage this with all large planned events.

The Chair confirmed that the clean up after Tar Barrels was a spectacular and comprehensive success through initiatives such as the £1 deposit scheme on plastic mugs.

Question relating to situations if traders were not willing to address the issues. Steve Saunders confirmed that legislation allowed the team to create conditions on the application. This issue could be factored into license conditions and was an area of work to be developed further in 2019.

Question relating to Cranbrook. Cranbrook is designated a healthy town according to NHS regulations, so why was it allowed to have another take-away license approved?  Steve Saunders confirmed that it appeared to be an emerging trend of traders from elsewhere to try to operate in Cranbrook. On this particular issue, the Town Council did not object to the street trader but a resolution was subsequently passed on whether to object or not. The licensing team are currently awaiting a view from the Town Council.

Question. Will there be a review of commercial charges for businesses in spring 2019, which would increase resources and enable greater control? Can food hygiene certificates be displayed? The response was that a report was taken to the Licensing & Enforcement Committee this week on this matter and a further report would be prepared for February identifying a fee structure for commercial premises. There are businesses reacting to changes in licence applications, and there is an option to review existing licences. This will be developed further in 2019.

Question relating to staffing in the Licensing team. Has an extra full time post been created in the team? The response is that a post was factored into the budget for 2015/16 and is now in place.

Question relating to comparative statistics. Are any statistics available to compare the situation before and after the changes to street trading? Steve Saunders confirmed that there were no comparative figures because it was a prohibited scheme prior to October 2017. Since then, they had processed 175 applications which represented between 2-3,000 individual traders.

Question relating to the impact of an increased workload due to street trading changes, on other areas of work. Steve Saunders confirmed that there had been an increased workload but the team had been able to deal with this over the year. The team have two performance indicators relating to the number of licensed premises inspections and number of taxi inspections, and since the team has been fully staffed, there have been no backlogs or missed deadlines. Proactive work has taken a back seat but all statutory work has been completed.

Question relating to other events such as the ‘Gate to Plate’ event in Honiton. The response was that the Licensing team are regulators and not events organisers, so ensure that all events are safely regulated.

Question relating to work between the Licensing Team and Streetscene. The response was that progress has been positive with the Events Manager recruited by Streetscene working closely with the Licensing Team’s Street Trading officer. There is streamlining of the application process to be done which requires the input of Strata, but coordination is much improved since 10 months ago.

Councillor Steve Hall, Chairman of the Licensing Committee, commented that the team had been aware of the increased workload over the last year but there had been no complaints from the police or public.  The regularisation of matters had put a much stricter regime in place, fees will be received and issues can be progressed on some very complicated events which take place in the district.

The Chair wanted to record the thanks of the Committee to Steve Saunders and Councillor Hall for attending, and proposed a recommendation which was agreed unanimously.

RECOMMENDED to Cabinet

“That Cabinet endorse the Street Trading Policy of using biodegradable materials wherever possible and not relying on single use plastics as indicated in their report to Scrutiny Committee (Item 10, paragraph 4.1) and support a reduction in plastic waste.”