Agenda and draft minutes

To note any substitution of Committee Members in accordance with Council Procedure Rules 19 -22.

An apology for absence was received from Cllr Bonkur for whom Cllr Otumunye attended as a substitute.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 October 2024  (previously circulated).

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 October 2024 were agreed as a correct record.

There were no items of urgent business.

To note declarations of Members’ disclosable pecuniary interests, non-disclosable pecuniary interests and non-pecuniary interests in respect of items on the Agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Committee is asked to resolve:

That under Section 100(A)(2) and (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be now excluded from the meeting for item 7 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of confidential or exempt information as defined in Section 100A(3) and Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the said Act (as amended).

In resolving to exclude the public in respect of the exempt information, it is considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

RESOLVED:

That under Section 100(A)(2) and (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be now excluded from the meeting for Agenda item 7 (Minute 8 refers) on the ground that it involves the likely disclosure of confidential or exempt information as defined in Section 100A(3) and Paragraphs 5 (privileged and legal advice) and 6 (statutory notice or order) Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the said Act (as amended).

In resolving to exclude the public in respect of the exempt information, it is considered that the public interest in maintain the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Report of the Executive Director (Resident Services and Climate Change)                                                         

Exempt report of the Executive Director (Resident Services and Climate Change) on an application for the available street trading pitch at Burrowfields, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 4SR: Application for a Street Licence.

Note: A more detailed record of the Committee’s discussion is contained in the exempt Minutes.

The Licensing Technician presented a report for the available street trading pitch at Burrowfields, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 4SR which had become available due to the surrender of the previous licence. The Council’s Street Trading policy required any available street pitch to be advertised on the Council’s website for a period of six weeks. All applications submitted for the pitch would be considered by Licensing Committee and the most appropriate applicant would be granted a trading consent with conditions attached once the appropriate fee had been received. The pitch had been advertised on 10 September 2024 for six weeks on the Council’s website and by the placement of notices on Burrowfields Industrial Estate. One valid application was made by Mr Dominic Lawrence and his application and supporting documents were contained within the agenda pack. Members of the Committee were provided with a set of standard conditions applicable to street trading consents.

Members were advised that a parking consultation had taken place between July and August 2024 in the area including Burrowfields. Residents had raised concerns about footway and verge way parking; all comments and objections had been considered by the Parking Team and would be discussed at Cabinet Planning and Parking Panel on 19 November 2024.                                                       

The following issues were raised:

• A member had visited the site and wondered about the proposed size of the applicant’s trailer given it would likely overhang a public footpath and there were existing parking problems in the area. Mr Lawrence responded that the pitch was triangular in shape and was set back from the path; he did not feel this would be an issue as he had not yet ordered the vehicle. The Licensing Technician advised that if the Committee felt the pitch was not large enough it would need to consider that as a specific separate matter. Mr Lawrence added that it benefited him to have the vehicle as far back as possible.
• Mr Lawrence’s company had ten members of staff; two would be working at the site if his application was approved.
• Mr Lawrence expected his potential customers to already be onsite (rather than arriving onsite specifically for his business).
• Asked about rubbish disposal, Mr Lawrence said he would have a trade bin off-site that would be emptied on a weekly basis; he anticipated the company would use one bin bag a day. There would be six-monthly pest control visits with black boxes onsite.
• A member commented that if a large vehicle was used it would reach the fence at one point thus cutting off a footpath, and if the vehicle was to be moved forward then it would be on a bigger footpath which would not enhance the area; additionally, there was a manhole which must not be covered. The Licensing Technician noted the Committee needed to determine whether it was felt the application was appropriate; a previous trader’s vehicle was at the metal fencing which opened up the front footpath and more recently a trader had fitted in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.