Agenda and minutes

Members are reminded that at the start of the meeting they should declare any known interests in any matter to be considered, and also during the meeting if it becomes apparent that they have an interest in the matters being discussed.

The Chair reminded Members of the need to declare any known interests in any matters to be considered at the meeting.  No declarations were made.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 16^th May 2008.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 16^th May 2008, be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

See explanatory note below.  Please phone the Committee Officer whose name and number appears at the top of this agenda if you need further guidance.

            No public questions were received during the meeting.

The Head of Licensing submitted a report setting out proposals for new policies relating to street trading within and outside the town centre.

Resolved – (1) That officers be authorised to undertake consultations with partner and stakeholders in preparation fro the introduction of a new policy framework for street trading within and outside Swindon town centre.

(2) That the new Street Trading Policy Framework shall be effective from 1^st October 2008.

(3) That, with the exception of the formulation of a new fees scale for traditional market stalls, no changes to the fee structure be effective until 1^st January 2009, but that a comprehensive fee review be undertaken for the provision of a new fee structure from 1^st January 2009.

(4) That all existing traders be scrutinised for their conformity or otherwise with the new policy framework and that established traders who do not meet the requirements set out in the new policy, or are unable to adapt to do so, have their permits withdrawn from 31^st December 2008.

(5) That any trader making an application under the new policy framework (as from 1^st October 2008) be required to meet the requirements of the policy from that date regardless of whether they have previously engaged in street trading in Swindon.

(6) That, other than in exceptional circumstances, a suspension on the receipt of applications for street trading permits until 1^st October 2008, be approved.

(7) That a meeting of the Ad-hoc Licensing Sub-Committee be convened to consider the concerns brought to this Authority’s attention by the freeholder of land at Frankland Road.

The Head of Licensing submitted a report setting out proposals for the re-designation of the street trading status of streets within Swindon town centre.

Resolved – (1) That officers initiated formal proceedings to consider the designation of Havelock Square, Regent Street and Wellington Street as Prohibited Streets within the terms of Part III, Schedule 4 of the Local Government  (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982.

(2) That, should the designations, set out in (1) above, be approved following consultations, a commencement date of 1^st November 2008, for those changes be provisionally adopted.

(3) That no applications (from either new or established traders) for any newly identified trading pitches in the town centre or elsewhere be considered, until a new comprehensive street trading policy is operational.