Agenda item

Report to consider an application for the grant of a Street Trading Consent at the following locations: Narrow Quay; Hanover Quay; St George’s Park.

This item was heard out of sequence at the end of the day and not as listed on the agenda.  At the hearing of this application both Cllr Sergeant and Cllr Hance had left the meeting.

The Applicant was in attendance.

The licensing Officer presented the report to Committee.

·        The application was for the grant of a Street Trading Consent for St George’s Park only the other 2 locations, mentioned in the report, of Narrow Quay and Hanover Quay, had been withdrawn.

·        SC had won the tender to provide a concession stand in St George’s Park for a period of 3 years and is required to obtain street trading consent to trade lawfully.

·        The report draws attention to an issue that arose in December 2017  when SC operated a concession on Ashton Road near the football ground that was successfully prosecuted in July 2018.  That unit was found to be trading without consent, the report details the issues arising from the applicants brother’s involvement in that concession.

·        Officers are looking to committee to make a decision on the application on whether the applicant is suitable to trade as outlined by its policy that states:

“Suitability of Applicant

When determining an application for the grant or renewal of a street trading consent the council will consider all relevant information relating to the suitability of the applicant to hold such a permission including:

a)      whether the applicant has been convicted of any relevant offence;”

The Applicant addressed the Committee:

·        SC assured Committee that he had learnt a lesson from the situation that arose in 2017 when he failed to take proper steps to transfer the business to his brother.

·        That he would take personal responsibility for the management of the site and would ensure that all required documentation are updated and completed as and when necessary.  That his brother would not be leading this concession stand but would only work as an employee.

·        SC apologised for not checking the situation with regards to the correct process and procedure relating to Ashton Road.

The Applicant and related parties left the room to enable Committee to make its decision.

The Committee considered the officers report and the oral presentation in line with Council policy.

Committee considered whether the issues relating to the actions of the applicant’s brother reflected on the applicant’s suitability to trade.  They heard from SC that he would be responsible for all paperwork and would ensure that his brother took no part in managing this concession.  Committee were reassured by this and in the knowledge that any breach of process would result in the revocation of the trading consent.  On being put to the vote members unanimously agreed that the trading consent would be granted with a warning to the applicant that if he failed to take control of the business the license and consent would be revoked.

Resolved:

1.      that the application for Trading Consent would be granted

2.      that the applicant would be responsible for the completion of all processed & procedures including any related documentation to operate the business.

All parties returned to the room for the decision.