Street Trading - Consent Streets, Guidance and Standard Conditions

Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982

1. Introduction

Breckland Council has adopted the street trading provisions of Section 3 and Schedule 4 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982. This enables streets to be designated as being either 'Consent', 'Licence' or 'Prohibited' streets.

All streets in the Breckland Council area have been designated as Consent Streets. This means that anyone who wishes to operate as a street trader in the Council area will be required to hold a valid Street Trading Consent.

The purpose of this document is to outline the way in which the scheme works and the standard conditions applied to all consents.

2. Definitions

The Act includes the following definitions:

''Street'' includes:

(a) Any road, footway or other area to which the public have access without payment.

(b) A service area as defined in Section 329 of the Highways Act 1980.

''Street Trading'' means the selling or offering or exposing for sale of any article (including a living thing) in any street.

''Consent'' means a consent to trade on a street granted by the Council, pursuant to Paragraph 7 of Schedule 4 to the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982.

''Consent Street'' means a street in which street trading is prohibited without the consent of the Council.

''Consent Holder'' means the person to whom the consent to trade has been granted by the Council.

"Licence Street" means a street in which a licence to trade is required

''Prohibited Street'' means a street in which street trading is prohibited.

3. Exemptions

The following activities are not considered to be street trading for the purposes of this schedule:

(a) Trading by a person acting as a pedlar under the authority of a Pedlar's Certificate

(b) Anything done in a market or fair

(d) Trading as a news vendor

(e) Sales from the forecourt of a petrol filling station

(f) Trading which is carried on at premises used as a shop or in a street adjoining shop premises and as part of the business of the shop

(g) A roundsman or person who delivers orders to the customer's door

4. Making an application

Applicants are strongly advised to read thoroughly all the conditions attached to a Street Trading Consent prior to making an application.

Please note that consents cannot be granted to a person under the age of 17 years.

All applications must be made to the Council in writing using the appropriate application form. The following items must be submitted with the completed application form:

(a) The correct fee

(b) Where the proposed street trading activity is from a fixed position, a map showing the proposed trading site

(d) A copy of a current certificate of insurance that covers the street trading activity for third party and public liability risks

(e) Where applicable, a copy of a current Gas Safety Certificate issued by a Gas Safe Registered Engineer

5. Fees

An annual fee of £435 is payable, calculated on a full cost recovery basis. This ensures that the scheme operates at no net cost to the Council. (Different fees apply for local charitable fund raising activities. Please contact the Licensing Team for further information.

6. Trading on private land

If you intend to trade on private land (including car parks) within the Breckland area, you should also provide a copy of the written permission of the landowner before the Council can consider the site suitable for trading.

7. Market Rights

In some areas of the district, established markets have legal powers or rights to protect traders and ensure successful trading.

For the purposes of market rights law the legal definition of a market is 'a concourse of buyers and sellers', with five or more trading positions.

Any rival event deemed a market or fair (private or charity) that falls within 62/3 miles of such a market may need the consent of the market rights holder to operate. This is the local Town Council in Attleborough, Dereham, Thetford, Swaffham and Watton.

8. Inspection of trading unit

The vehicle, van trailer, stall or other device to be used for the proposed street trading activity will be inspected by an Authorised Officer of the Council prior to any Street Trading Consent being granted. This is to ensure compliance with relevant legislation.

9. Determination of the application

The council will carry out its street trading functions with a view to promoting the following licensing objectives:

(a) Public Safety - The location of the proposed street trading activity should not present a significant risk to the public in terms of road safety, obstruction and fire hazard. The term 'public' refers to customers of the street trading activity and other members of the public using the street

(b) Avoidance of Nuisance - The street trading activity should not present a significant risk of nuisance from noise, smells, fumes, rubbish, litter or the harbourage of vermin to households or businesses in the vicinity of the proposed street trading site. Observations from Officers of the Council will be taken into consideration

(c) Compliance with Legal Requirements - The proposed street trading activity should be carried out in full compliance with relevant legislation. Persons wishing to obtain a Street Trading Consent should be fit and proper in terms of the nature of the proposed business and their previous criminal convictions

(d) Permitted Trading Hours - The Council will generally only permit street trading between 05:00 and 23:00. Any trading outside these hours may require the Consent Holder to also hold a Premises Licence under the Licensing Act 2003, for the supply of late night refreshment

10. Issue of Street Trading Consents

A Street Trading Consent will be issued for a maximum period of 12 months.

11. Decision to refuse or revoke

Should the Council decide to refuse or revoke a Street Trading Consent, the applicant will be notified within 10 working days of that decision and the reasons for it.

If the applicant is not satisfied with the decision, they may make representations in writing to the Council's Licensing Team within 28 days of being notified of the decision to refuse/revoke.

The Council may revoke or vary a Consent at any time, including in the following circumstances:

(a) Where the street trading activity is likely to give rise to nuisance or loss of amenity caused by noise, odour, litter, disturbance or anti-social behaviour

(b) Where there is insufficient space in the street for the applicant to engage in the trading without causing undue interference or inconvenience to persons using the street

(c) Where the Highways Authority considers a location is dangerous or where a personal injury or fatality has occurred within 100 metres, or where the Council considers the location to be unsafe or places the public at risk from harm

(d) Where the applicant is unsuitable to hold a consent because of having been convicted of an offence that the Council consider makes them unsuitable to hold such consent, or for any other reason

(e) Where the applicant has at any time been granted a Street Trading Consent by the Council, and has persistently refused or neglected to pay the appropriate fee

(f) Where the applicant or operator of the stall is under the age of 17 years

(g) Where a trader has failed to comply with the conditions attached to the consent

(h) Where the street trading may damage the structure or surface of the street

12. Appeal to the Council's Appeals Committee

The Council's Appeals Committee has been established to hear objections and appeals in relation to licensing matters. The role of the Committee in relation to Street Trading Consents is to hear representations from applicants or licence holders where an application has been refused or a licence revoked.

13. Refusal of applications

The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 does not make provision for any legal appeals against the decision of a Council in relation to the refusal or revocation of Street Trading Consents. A person aggrieved by a decision of a Council may seek a Judicial Review of the decision, should it be felt necessary.

14. General information

Persons under 17 years

The Council will not grant a Street Trading Consent to a person under 17 Years of age.