The Committee considered the report of the Head of Democratic Services outlining an application from Mr M Greenfield for a Street Trading Consent.  The Head of Democratic Services stated that he had been unable to determine the application due to an objection having been received.  He confirmed that consultation had included adjacent shops and apologised that this had been omitted from the report.

Mr Greenfield, the applicant, and Councillor Mrs Wilson, the objector, were present.

In accordance with agreed procedure, Mr Greenfield presented his case to the Committee.  In the run-up to Christmas 2010 he had considered running a stall on Ethos courtyard.  He obtained permission from Ethos to do so as a employee or pay a rent and run his own stall.  He then found that street trading consent was required and applied for one.  Not being in time for 2010 he would like to trade for 6-8 weeks prior to Christmas 2011.  Whilst he understands the objection raised, he notes there were no representation from shops nearby and that the staff in Earl Street is some distance away.  In his view there is sufficient trade for all and they are present all year.  He hopes to improve the trade for Ethos and add to the Christmas ambience.

Councillor Mrs Wilson presented her reasons as to why the application should be refused.  She indicated that in her view the decision was a difficult balancing act between helping the small entrepreneur and helping the town as a whole.  She had asked herself, will this bring something new, will it help competition or provide more choice.  In her considered opinion there is already adequate choice of this type of product from both a stall and stores.  A proliferation of stalls may undermine existing stores.  On balance, considering all this, she feels that this application should be refused, not because she is against stalls, as such, but because there would not be added value.

Members of the Committee were then given an opportunity to ask Mr Greenfield any questions.  Mr Greenfield responded to the questions stating that the stall would be covered at the sides, back and top and that he would like to sell other items related to Christmas wrapping paper, such as sticky tape, tags and cards.

Members of the Committee were then given an opportunity to ask Councillor Mrs Wilson any questions.  Councillor Mrs Wilson responded to the questions stating that she felt that too many stalls/shops selling the same type of products does have an impact.

Legal advice was given to clarify the difference between pedlars and street traders and on public access to land without payment.

Mr Greenfield was then given the opportunity to ask any questions of Councillor Mrs Wilson.

Councillor Mrs Wilson was also given the opportunity to ask any questions of Mr Greenfield.

Members of the Committee were then given the opportunity to ask any further questions of the applicant and the objector.

In response, Mr Greenfield confirmed that he would like to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56