On 1 April 2009 Shropshire Council took on the street trading provisions of schedule 4 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982. The purpose of these provisions is to ensure that councils can properly regulate those who sell without the use of an ordinary business premises.

The provisions are local in nature and within the Shropshire Council boundary there are some streets and areas which have been designated as 'consent streets', 'prohibited streets' and 'licensed streets' with regard to street trading activities, and others which haven’t.

• A 'consent street means a street in which trading is prohibited without the consent of the council
• A 'licensed street' means a street in which trading is prohibited without a licence from the council
• A ‘prohibited street’ means it's illegal to trade in this street

The former South Shropshire District Council, North Shropshire District Council, Oswestry Borough Council and Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council adopted the provisions. They were not adopted by Bridgnorth Borough Council.

On 25 January 2017 the Strategic Licensing Committee resolved to adopt schedule 4 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 across the entire administrative area of Shropshire Council, to include Bridgnorth.

Following the adoption of schedule 4 across the entire Shropshire Council administrative area we're now asking for people's views on the proposed Street Trading Policy 2017 – 2022.

We're particularly interested to hear about the following:

1. Are the current consent streets and areas listed and mapped in appendix A of the proposed policy still relevant and appropriate?
2. Are there any changes (omissions or additions) to the current consent streets and areas which would be beneficial?
3. Are there any areas which don't currently have consent, licensed or prohibited streets which would benefit from them?
4. Given the very different economic climate and safeguarding responsibilities which now exist in comparison with those of 30 years ago (when the legislation was originally adopted), should currently designated consent streets be converted to licensed streets, and the draft policy amended to discourage the designation and use of consent streets?

In addition we're also seeking confirmation from any town or parish council which wishes to have the powers to administer street trading delegated to them. The administration of street trading powers includes the setting of fees, the determination of prohibited, licensed and consent streets, the administration of licences and consents, and enforcement in the event of non-compliance.

To provide feedback, please click on the ‘How to get involved’ tab.

Documents

• DRAFT - Street Trading Policy 2017a.pdf

Any feedback on the proposed Street Trading Policy should be made in writing and addressed to Licensing, Shropshire Council, Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6ND or by e-mail to licensing@shropshire.gov.uk with the subject ‘Street Trading Policy 2017 – 2022’ by 5pm on 26 March 2017.