The officers consider that the following item or items contains exempt information as provided for in the Local Government Access to Information Act and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. The Committee is recommended to agree the necessary resolutions excluding the public from the meeting during consideration of these items. At the time this agenda is published no representations have been that this part of the meeting should be open to the public.

A recommendation was made that the public is excluded during consideration of the items of business.

Decision

To exclude the public during consideration of the following items which involved consideration of exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of particular persons, and public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

The report of the Head of planning, Building Control and Licensing is attached.

The Committee carefully considered the size of the area and the photos of the catering van, provided by the applicant, and were of the view that there is sufficient space for a catering unit the size of which the trader will be operating from in the area.

The Committee accepted the applicant’s comments that there would be no difference in the current situation if the catering van was parked up on the road as there are currently vans and cars parked there which do not cause any obstruction on the road. The applicant also stated he had parked his van there for three days, not trading, and there were no issues or objections.

The Committee also noted the comments from the applicant that if he knew that if he went to trade and there were cars parked already on the road, with no space for his catering van, he would not be able to trade that day.

The applicant also confirmed that the hatch serving customers would be on the pavement side of the catering van and therefore there was no risk of customers standing in the road.

The Committee carefully consider the written objection from the local business, who were not in attendance, however did not agree that the catering van would cause any additional obstruction.

The Committee also considered the statement of policy and were of the view that trading in a catering van of size proposed to be used, at that location, would not compromise road safety or cause an obstruction or effect traffic flow on the street.

The Committee therefore think it is fit to grant the street trading consent.

Decision

To grant the application.