Agenda and minutes

The Evacuation Procedure was noted.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the last meetings held on 8 August and 20 September 2023.

Consideration was given to the General Licensing Committee minutes from the meetings which were held on 8th August 2023 & 20th September 2023

for approval and signature.

RESOLVED that the minutes be approved and signed as a correct record by the Chair.

Members were asked to consider a report ‘Consent Street Trading Policy Review’, which informed the General Licensing Committee of the statutory public consultation carried out to review the current policy and the proposal to designate the whole Borough as a consent area for the purposes of consent street trading.

Officers noted that it had been identified during the COVID pandemic that the policy which Stockton Brough Council had in place was no longer fit for purpose.

Under the current policy only some streets were categorised as ‘Consent Streets’ or Prohibited Streets. Officers explained that this left the rest of the Borough in a grey area, and therefore this policy review would make the whole of the Stockton Borough Council area consent areas for the purposes of street trading.

A public consultation had taken place with the responses being mixed of both positive and negative opinions of the proposed policy change. Concerns around fundraising, Schools and Voluntary Sector charity work were noted by Officers. and had influenced a second draft of the proposed policy.

Officers amended the proposed policy to state that charities and recognised associations or non-profit organisations would be exempt under the new draft policy.

The proposed policy would be presented to Cabinet and Council in January 2024 with Officers expecting the policy to be ready for implementation by March 2024, with a review to be undertaken within 18 months.

RESOLVED that:

1. Members comments be received

2. that the report be noted.