Agenda and minutes

RESOVLED: That Councillor R. Knight be appointed Chairman

COUNCILLOR R. KNIGHT IN THE CHAIR

To receive any declarations of interest.

None.

To consider an application for the grant of a static Street Trading Licence submitted by Mr Colin Luke, to trade from the following location:

Bank Street, Worcester.

The Sub-Committee considered an application to grant a static street trading licence to Mr Colin Luke in Worcester City Centre.

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.”

All parties to the hearing introduced themselves. Mr Luke chose not to have any representation. Mr Luke stated he was satisfied with the proposed procedure.

Vanessa Brown, for the Legal Services Manager, summarised the matter for consideration. She explained that the matter had been referred to the Sub-Committee for determination by Worcestershire Regulatory Services as a representation had been received from Ms Phoebe Dawson, of Worcester Business Improvement District (BID) who had raised an objection on behalf of several City Centre businesses.

Niall McMenamin, Senior Licensing Practitioner on behalf of Worcestershire Regulatory Services, was then invited to make representations. In summary, he set out the background to the application, as set out in the agenda report.

Mr Luke explained that the current street trading licence holder, Mrs Burrows had been trading in Worcester for many years and was now taking retirement. As a street trading licence cannot be transferred this was a fresh application. He intended to carry on the business in the same location and in the same way.

Ms Dawson for Worcester BID explained that although there was no objection to the type of business, rather the location of it. The written objection was that:

 “The location of the business causes undue interference and inconvenience to other local businesses and their customers in the immediate vicinity including, but not limited to, visual window displays, aromas caused by food preparation and attracting a large number of gulls.”

Mr Luke answered Members’ questions regarding food waste, litter and what steps he would be taking to discourage attracting gulls. Mr Luke confirmed that all waste was removed from tables as soon as possible, his waste containers were inside the van and a gazebo and parasol umbrella were also used to shield food. Members were impressed that he had an understanding and awareness of some of the concerns with regard to litter and the city wide problem with gulls.

All parties were given the opportunity to make a final statement. Mr McMenamin stated he had nothing further to add. Mr Luke stated that the cleaner he kept the trailer and its environs the more likely he was to attract customers.

All parties, with the exception of Members if the Sub-Committee and the representatives of Legal and Democratic Services, then withdrew to enable the Sub-Committee to consider its decision.

In considering the decision, the following legal advice was given:

·         That the Sub-Committee should have regards to the legislation which states that “it is the duty of the council to grant an application for a street trading licence or the renewal of such a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.