Agenda item

To consider the report from the head of legal and democratic services. 

The committee considered the report from the head of legal and democratic services, which set out a revised street trading policy for consideration.  The council had adopted street trading guidance in 1996 that was in need of review.  Further, the Council had adopted a motion in July 2013 calling for the review to be brought forward to give consideration for street trading to be allowed in some Abingdon town centre streets.  The committee was asked to consider the draft policy and agree that it should be the subject of a public consultation exercise. 

The committee noted that the council currently had some ‘consent streets’ and some ‘prohibited streets’ but most streets fell into neither category.  The revised policy suggested changing all streets in the district to the designation of ‘consent streets’.  This required street traders to apply for and be granted a street trading consent before trading on any street in the district. 

The committee supported the proposed policy but asked for the following changes prior to going out to consultation:

• Paragraph 5.6(e) - amend to prohibit street trading consents within 100 metres of a school or college between the hours of 07:30 to 18:00 hours
• Paragraph 5.6(h) – amend to require applicants for stalls or vehicles selling food to hold a current Level 2 Food Hygiene or Food Safety Certificate
• Paragraph 5.9 – amend fourth bullet point to read ‘food hygiene or safety certificates’

·        Paragraph 5.12 – amend sixth bullet point to read ‘food hygiene or safety certificates’

·        Paragraph 8.1 first bullet point - amend to allow traders to remain in a location for 72 hours to cover longer events over bank holiday weekends

·        Annex 1 paragraph 11 and Annex 2 paragraph 15 – amend both paragraphs to read ‘The consent holder’s vehicle shall be maintained in a roadworthy condition, taxed, insured and possess a current MOT certificate if required.’ 

·        Annex 1 paragraph 13  – amend to read ‘The consent holder’s vehicle or stall shall not exceed 8 metres in length, 3 metres in width and 3.5 metres in height when travelling.  Awnings, canopies, hatch covers and serving shelves must not extend more than 2 metres from the vehicle or stall.’ 

·        Annex 2 paragraph 17 – amend to read ‘The consent holder’s vehicle shall not exceed 8 metres in length, 3 metres in width and 3.5 metres in height when travelling.  Awnings, canopies, hatch covers and serving shelves must not extend more than 2 metres from the vehicle.’ 

·        Annex 1 paragraph 16 and Annex 2 paragraph 20 – amend both paragraphs to read ‘All staff involved in the preparation of food shall hold a current Level 2 food safety or food hygiene certificate, accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, the Royal Society of Health, or the Royal institute of Public Health and Hygiene.’ 

·        Annex 1 paragraph 21 and Annex 2 paragraph 24 – amend both paragraphs to read ‘The consent holder will comply with the Equality Act 2010, ensuring they do not discriminate, harass or victimise customers or staff during the course of their trading.  They will also ensure that disabled people and wheelchair users can be adequately served.  This may involve serving persons from outside the vehicle.’ 

RESOLVED: to

(a)       agree the proposed street trading policy for public consultation, subject to the amendments set out in the bullet points above; and

(b)       authorise the head of legal and democratic services to make any further minor editorial changes to the proposed policy, prior to the document being issued for consultation.