Agenda item

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection which set out that the City of London (Various Powers) Act 2013 made changes to the long established street trading regime within the City of London. The City Corporation would have the authority to issue temporary street trading licences so that commemorative and seasonal events would be able to include a street trading element. The report outlined the following:

·          Explained the legislation affecting street trading in the City of London;

·          Set out the City Corporation’s policy in respect of the regulation of street trading, including its enforcement; and

·          Offered guidance as to the procedure to be followed in seeking a street trading licence

The report also outlined matters considered by the licensing service in setting the proposed temporary licence fees which followed legally established guidelines. The fees set out in the policy were designed to cover the costs associated with the licensing process. Authorities, including the City Corporation, were not able to include the costs of enforcement against unlicensed street traders within their fees.

It was noted that minor amendments would be made to the policy relating to the consistency of a minimum width of unobstructed footway of ‘2.2 metres’ between the edge of a permitted areas and the edge of the footway.

A Member pointed out that it was important to ensure that high street traders were no affected by street traders.

The Chairman thanked officers for their hard work on both the Street Trading and Tables and Chairs policies.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.