Agenda and minutes

Up to a total of fifteen minutes can be allowed, each speaker being allocated a maximum of five minutes, for members of the public to present a petition, ask a question or comment on any item on the Agenda or within the remit of the Sub-Committee.

None.

RESOLVED: That Councillor Amos be elected Chairman for the meeting.

COUNCILLOR AMOS IN THE CHAIR

To consider two applications to grant street trading licences for Mr Jeffrey Bright and Mr Macauley Hawkins, trading as Piccadilly Whip.

The Sub-Committee considered two applications for Street Trading Licences.  The applications had been made by Mr Jeffrey Bright for an ice cream trike to operate Monday to Sunday from 12 noon – 7pm.; and by Mrs Lydia Bright for an ice cream trike to operate Monday to Sunday from 12 noon – 7pm. It was clarified at the meeting that Mrs Bright was applying instead of Mr Macauley Hawkins, in whose name the original application, as set out in the agenda papers, had been made.  The application had been made initially in the name of Mr Hawkins because Licensing Officers had advised Mrs Bright that each trike needed to be licensed separately.  Mr Hawkins was an employee of Mr Bright.

At the start of the hearing, the Chairman made the following statement:-

“Presentations to this Sub-Committee are not given under oath. However, I would like to remind all parties that the highest standards are expected and any deviation from these high standards could possibly influence any decision of the Sub-Committee.”

The Chairman introduced the members of the Sub-Committee, all other parties to the hearing introduced themselves. 

The following representors were in attendance:

• Nadja von Dahlen on behalf of Worcester BID
• Mr. Connelly on behalf of Bearsgreatescapes Ltd.

Mrs Brown, for the Legal Services Manager, summarised the matter for consideration. She explained that the application had been referred to the Sub-Committee for determination because representations on the application had been made by Worcester BID on behalf of businesses within the City Centre.  In addition, the Licensing Department had received several objections to the application form local businesses.

Mrs Brown clarified that the two applications must be considered separately and determined on their own merits.

Mr Phillips, Licensing Officer, presented his report.  He explained that Mr Bright disputed the description of the proposed trading areas set out in paragraph 2.3 of the report and that Mr Bright would clarify this point later in the meeting.  Mr Phillips explained that the Council currently licensed four ice cream tricycles, all for the same business, which was authorised to trade in High Street, by the riverside from South Quay to Diglis, and at Pitchcroft.

In response to questions, Mr Phillips explained that Mr Bright had been licensed as a mobile ice cream trader for many years. In that time, over 100 complaints had been received to the effect that Mr Bright was operating an ice cream van as a static trader. Mr Phillips had not personally witnessed Mr Bright committing and offence and the Council had not taken proceedings against Mr Bright in relation to the allegations.

Mr Bright and Mrs Bright were given the opportunity to present their applications in turn.  Mr Bright explained that he wished to trade along the east side of the riverside from South Quay to the Diglis Bridge, and back along the west side as far as the Sabrina Bridge.  He did not wish to trade in the High Street.  There was an adjournment to produce a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.