Agenda item

In outlining the report, the Licensing Officer informed Members of the reasons why it was being proposed that a fee be introduced for distribution of free printed matter within certain designated areas.  It was noted that the Environmental Protection Act 1990 authorised the Principle Litter Authority i.e. Slough Borough Council to introduce controls and regulations regarding the distribution of free printed matter in designated areas. 

Members raised a number of concerns with regard to the report including:

·  How the designated areas had been identified

·  What evidence there was to suggest that these areas were ‘hotspots’

·  How the introduction of such a scheme would be implemented and enforced, including what penalties would be served on individuals who did not apply for permission to distribute free printed matter

·  The legal implications of introducing a policy for certain areas of the Borough i.e. would this be discriminatory to certain businesses 

·  What the fee would be and the time period for which this would be applicable. 

The Licensing Officer explained that free printed matter distributed on or behalf of a charity, or where the distribution was for political purposes or for the purpose of a religion or belief, were exempt under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and a fee would not apply to these organisations.

In the ensuing discussion Members agreed that further information was required and decided that the matter be referred to a scrutiny panel.

Resolved –   That the matter be referred to the Neighbourhoods and Renewal Scrutiny Panel to investigate further and the findings of the Scrutiny Panel to be reported to a future meeting of the Licensing Committee.