of the meetings held on 8 March and 23 May 2011 (ENCLOSURE).

The Minutes of the meetings held on 8 March and 23 May 2011 were approved as a correct record, and signed by the Chair.

Report of the Executive Head of Environmental Sustainability (ENCLOSURE).

It was reported that the operation of street trading in the Borough had been reviewed to ensure that the service was as efficient as possible.  Only three streets in the Borough were designated for street trading – High Street, Sutton, Woodmansterne Lane and Rosehill.  Street trading elsewhere was covered by temporary licences.  Currently there were 27 licence holders in High Street, Sutton trading from 31 market pitches, two traders in Woodmansterne and two in Rosehill.  The number of temporary licences varied but averaged around 60.

Generating annual invoices was resource intensive, particularly in respect of High Street, Sutton, because of the different days traded, the number of market pitches traded from, the numerous licence changes sought by traders, the need to issue reminders and institute recovery proceedings for non-payment, and the need to issue (and eventually recover) a market stall.

The lack of a street trading policy had led to a number of unwritten rules being applied, for which there were no records.  A draft policy for the regulation of street trading, which would provide clarity and transparency, was submitted for consultation.  The draft policy included a proposal to standardise the trading days in Sutton so that the market only operated on the busier days, thus making it more attractive to customers, an explanation why the sale of hot food was not permitted and confirmed that shop front trading would not be allowed.  The position regarding pavement cafes would be clarified by extending the permitted area from High Street, Sutton to Sutton Town Centre, as defined in the draft policy.  The draft policy would also include standard licence conditions for different categories of trader.

To improve efficiency it was suggested that the full licence fee should be paid in advance, that market stalls should no longer be provided for traders, and that a fee of £27 should be introduced to recover the costs of varying a licence.  It was also suggested that consideration should be given to whether or not the current commodities list was fit for purpose, or if it was still required at all.

Members noted that the charge for trading in a designated street had been increased from £10 to £10.50 each day to partially recover an accrued deficit on the service, and that it could be increased further to recover the remaining deficit.  It was thought that Sutton’s charge was one of the lowest in London.  Members questioned whether the cost and aggravation of providing and enforcing street trading was justified, but noted that the measures proposed were intended to reduce those costs.  Other options put forward by members to reduce costs included the cessation of regulating street trading, which it was acknowledged would create other difficulties, and outsourcing the licensing and enforcement to a contractor, although the Council would still be the enforcing authority.  The benefits and possible disbenefits of limiting the number of trading days in High Street, Sutton were also considered.

            Resolved: (i) That, subject to the Chair,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 535.

Report of the Executive Head of Environmental Sustainability (ENCLOSURE).

It was reported that the Authority attached standard licence conditions to all pet shop licences in accordance with the Pet Animals Act 1951.  Those conditions reflected the model conditions published by the Local Government Association.  A working party of experts had recently reviewed the model conditions and made numerous changes to reflect new legislation and update animal husbandry requirements in line with best practice.

Sutton had a contract with the City of London Veterinary Service to undertake animal welfare functions on behalf of the Authority and they supported the proposed changes to the recommended licence conditions.  If the revised conditions were adopted they would be applied to new pet shop licences immediately and to renewed licences from their renewal on 1 January 2012.

            Resolved: That the revised standard pet shop licence conditions, set out as an Appendix to these Minutes, be adopted.