Agenda item

The Licensing Manager introduced a report that requested the Committee to recommend to Council the formal adoption of the relevant legislation pertaining to establishing and licensing markets and to approve the draft Market Licensing Standard Terms and Conditions and Draft Market Policy.

The Council recognised the role that markets could play in contributing to the regeneration and vitality of an area, however, there was no current provision in place to establish, regulate, control or licence markets in Slough.  Consultation had taken place on the Market Policy and the relevant legislation would need to be adopted before markets could held.  In response to points raised by Members, the Licensing Manager explained that the Christmas markets held in previous years in Slough had been dealt with under Street Trading consents, and the markets policy would provide for more regular, long term arrangements to be put in place which it was hoped would enhance the town centre.

Members asked a number of questions about the types of markets Slough may attract; the minimum age of market traders; competition with town centre retailers; and the measures in place to ensure the necessary consumer protection safeguards and insurances were in place.  The Committee was assured that all traders would need to have public liability insurance and display the name and address of the operator.  Consumer Direct and trading standards could provide a advice in the event of complaints about goods sold at a market.  A concern was raised about the potential clash of markets with civic events and it was agreed to make an amendment to the policy to ensure that due regard to civic events was given in the scheduling of markets.

A Member expressed concern about the operation of a market in the town centre during any major redevelopment of the shopping centres that took place in the future.  Any developer would need to have a construction management plan in place to minimise disruption and would be encouraged to engage with the organisers and traders at the appropriate time.

At the conclusion of the discussion the Committee agreed to recommend adoption of the relevant legislation and policies to full Council on 27^th September 2018.

Recommended –

(a)  That the provisions of Sections 50 to 61 of Part III of the Food Act 1984 and Section 37 of Part XII of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 be adopted.

(b)  That the draft Market Licensing Standard Terms and Conditions be approved.

(c)  That the draft Markets Policy be approved, following consultation, subject to an additional provision that the timing of markets is planned with due regard to civic events.