Issue - meetings

This report brings the findings of the consultation exercise carried out on the proposed revision of the Council’s Street Trading policy, conditions and new guidance

Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones in an ad hoc statement observed that the proposals fitted well with the Walkable City.  He felt that the Bath “brand” must always be synonymous with excellence.  He welcomed the recent trial of mains electricity provision for a small number of street traders and asked for it to be extended.  He asked for enforcement action when traders allow their pitches to creep out onto the pavement.

Councillor David Dixon in proposing the item expressed his thanks to the officers who had consulted widely during the preparation of the report.  He assured Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones that he was already considering the points he had made.  He referred to the increasing practice of buskers offering their CDs for sale and said that action would be taken to ensure a level playing field for other traders.

Councillor Ben Stevens in seconding the proposals emphasised the need to ensure that the street trading offering must be of a high standard.

On a motion from Councillor David Dixon, seconded by Councillor Ben Stevens, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To ADOPT the revised policy and notes the proposed conditions and guidance.

This report explains why the Council is reviewing its street trading policy which was last updated in 2010.  The Council is formally consulting on this review which began on 1^st June and ends on 30^th July 2014.

The Team Manager for Health & Environment (Licensing and Environmental Protection) gave a brief presentation to the Panel relating to this item. A copy of the presentation is available online and on the Panel’s Minute Book, a summary is set out below.

What’s new?

The Policy was last reviewed in 2000.

Statement of purpose: improving local environment, supporting local economy, promoting diversity and greater consumer choice

Buskers: specific pitches for street entertainers who want to sell items

Street markets: active promotion of these to link with economic regeneration priorities

Designs of stalls: aim to improve appearance of stalls and implement a phased approach for renewal of existing stalls

The Team Manager for Health & Environment (Licensing and Environmental Protection) said that stall holders would be given up to three years to get a new stall and that the Council would aid with the initial cost if required.

Councillor Douglas Nicol commented that he felt for the stalls to have uniformity was a good idea. He also welcomed the work outlined for buskers.

Councillor Roger Symonds said that he welcomed the light touch approach and was impressed with the ideas so far. He asked if the Council had any powers over the use of Brunel Square in Southgate.

The Public Protection Officer replied that an agreement was in place for the Council to issue licences to people wishing to use that area. He added that discussions were on-going about holding a regular market in the Southgate Complex.

Councillor Roger Symonds asked if there was a need to charge businesses for the outside use of tables and chairs.

The Team Manager for Health & Environment (Licensing and Environmental Protection) replied that that issue was outside the scope of this consultation.

The Public Protection Team Leader added that Act was so prescriptive that businesses must apply every year. He added that it was a time consuming process and posed whether it was worth considering adopting a local way of working.

The Chair asked if any theme of response from the public had been gathered yet.

The Team Manager for Health & Environment (Licensing and Environmental Protection) replied that officers had not received any adverse responses to the proposals.

The Panel RESOLVED to note the report.