Issue - meetings

Councillor E Buckmaster, the Executive Member for Wellbeing submitted a report on a review of the Street Trading Consent Policy.

Councillor Buckmaster said the report had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which had made a number of recommendations.  These recommendations were detailed in the report, and had been accepted by the Executive. He proposed and Councillor Cutting seconded, a motion that the proposals be supported.

Councillor Wyllie asked that a minor change be made, to ensure all references to sky lanterns were shown correctly, rather than using the phrase “Chinese lanterns”.

Councillor E Buckmaster agreed to this correction. Councillor Goldspink said this policy would be flexible, and she supported it. 

Councillor Wilson said a minor correction of the spelling of the word “peripatetic” should be made. He queried the rationale for additional condition (e) in Appendix 1 that peripatetic street traders should not wait in one location for more than 20 minutes. He did not think that restriction had been the practice before, and did not wish to impose restrictions unnecessarily. 

Councillor Buckmaster said he would respond in writing. 

Councillor Crofton said he welcomed this policy.  Across the district, 60 playgrounds had opened last week following the Covid 19 lockdown.  He asked about the process for ensuring that rural playgrounds were safe in terms of social distancing. 

Councillor Buckmaster said he could not answer this question in the context of the present agenda item, but would respond separately.  However, the onus would generally be on parents to ensure children’s safety. 

The motion being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, it was declared CARRIED. 

RESOLVED – that (A) the proposed revised Street Trading Consent Policy be adopted by the Council;

(B) the proposed revised fees and charges structure as detailed in the Policy be agreed by the Council; and

(c) Any minor amendments to the new Policy be made by the Head of Housing and Health in consultation with the Executive Member for Wellbeing.

Councillor Buckmaster, the Executive Member for Wellbeing, submitted a report on a revision to the Council’s Street Trading Consent Policy.  He said the proposed changes had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  The Committee had made a number of recommendations, including an extension to the list of prohibited goods to include sky lanterns, helium balloons and fireworks; that any existing traders affected by the new policy be treated with the maximum consideration to avoid any adverse impact on existing businesses; and that the new policy should discourage any street trading within an Air Quality Management Area. 

In respect of the restriction on sale of the items identified by the Committee, Councillor Buckmaster said he had no objection, and it was the Council’s aim to prohibit sale or use of these items on its land.  However, it should be noted that these items could be bought elsewhere. 

Councillor Haysey welcomed the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 

Councillor Wyllie said, in relation to sky lanterns, that their attractive appearance was outweighed by their disadvantages in terms of fire risk and danger caused by metal parts to wildlife.  He thanked the Executive for taking account of the Committee’s comments. 

The Service Manager (Environmental Health) confirmed the additional recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee could be implemented. 

RESOLVED – that (A)the Proposed Revised Street Trading Consent Policy be considered, and that suggested amendments, additions, deletions and/or clarifications raised by the Executive be considered by the Executive Member for Wellbeing and the Head of Housing and Health prior to drafting the final proposed version, and accompanying report, for determination by Council;  and

(B) the recommendations put forward by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be considered by the Executive and any amendments to the policy be made before being determined by Council.