Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director, Economy & Public Protection.

The Executive Director, Economy and Public Protection submitted a report (previously circulated) requesting that this Committee approves Darlington’s Street Trading Policy (also previously circulated) for public consultation.

The submitted report stated that Darlington’s Street Trading Policy was last reviewed in January 2015 and Licensing was seeking views from all stakeholders, including traders and the public to ensure it remained relevant and reflected changes within the town in recent years.

It was reported that Street Trading was governed by the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, enabling Local Authorities to control street trading by designating areas as consent streets, licence streets and prohibited streets; that the current policy was based on decisions made by Members in 1991 and 1993, with the adoption of the provisions of the 1982 Act in relation to street trading, creating consent streets and prohibited streets by the Council’s Works and Health Committee in 1991 and the setting of a policy for street trading in June 1993.

It was also reported that the current policy allowed for 12 daytime trading sites and four nighttime sites for stationary trading in the town centre; that there was one nighttime trader within the town centre and no static daytime street traders; that there had been a significant decline in town centre trading in recent years, particularly following the covid pandemic; and that there were 19 mobile street traders within the borough outside the town centre. It was highlighted that the current fixed locations may no longer be appropriate, following developments in recent years.

Reference was made to concerns raised by current retailers in relation to street trading and the consultation process was outlined.

Discussion ensued regarding the process for granting licences to mobile street traders; the impact of street traders on retailers in the town; and following a question regarding requirements for food traders, Members were advised that it was a requirement for food traders to be registered with environmental health in order to trade.

RESOLVED – That the commencement of a public consultation process relating to the consideration and adoption of a revising Street Trading Policy be approved by the General Licensing Committee.