Issue - meetings

The Director of Neighbourhood Services submitted a report to update the Licensing Committee in respect of details of discussions that had been undertaken with Hertfordshire County Council in relation to pavement licensing.

Councillor D Andrews commented that careful consideration should be given to the issue of pavement advertising boards, as they were an important part of the street scene.  In response to a number of comments from Members, the Senior Specialist Licensing Officer stated that a pavement licence would be necessary for tables and chairs on the highway for the purpose of people taking refreshment and that planning permission may also be necessary.

Members were reminded that an applicant would have to comply with both permissions.  For example, if an applicant had planning permission for 10 sets of tables and chairs and a pavement licence for 8, only 8 were permitted to be located on the pavement.

Councillor J Taylor emphasised that tables and chairs enhanced the street scene in Ware and she would not want to see high fees harming the business of small cafes in Ware.  Councillor K Crofton expressed concerns that the fees referred to in paragraph 2.8 of the report were quite large.  He believed that any fee should be approved on a cost recovery basis only.

Councillor Taylor suggested that any fee should be approved by the Licensing Committee.  The Committee received the report and approved the recommendations as now detailed.

RESOLVED – that (A) East Herts Council Officers work with Hertfordshire County Council in respect of implementing an Agency Agreement in relation to pavement licensing; and

(B)   an informal Task and Finish Group, as detailed in the report submitted, be set up to investigate and make recommendations in respect of a fee structure and draft policy for standard conditions for pavement licensing.