Agenda and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interests in the items under consideration and in doing so state:

(1) the type of interest concerned either a

(a)   personal interest

(b)   prejudicial interest

(c)    disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI)

and

(2) the nature of the interest concerned

If any member requires advice on declarations of interests, they are advised to contact the Head of Democratic Governance in advance of the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest on this occasion.

To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 6 October 2020 as a true and correct record.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 October 2020 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To agree the minutes of the special meeting held on 20 October 2020 as a true and correct record.

Resolved: That the minutes of the special meeting held on 20 October 2020 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To consider permits already granted for collections in December 2019 and the issue of further street collection permits in view of the COVID19 restrictions in force in the area.

The Sub-Committee considered permits granted in December 2019 and whether further street collection permits should be issued in view of the Covid-19 restrictions in force in the area.

It was also noted that since the meeting’s agenda had been published the government had introduced a nationwide lockdown to run between 5 November 2020 and 2 December 2020. During this time it was recognised that during this period no street collections would be allowed.

Mr Lee Petrak, Trading Standards and Licensing Manager, outlined that as Blackpool had been placed in the highest Tier 3 level of Covid-19 restrictions it was being recommended that the Sub-Committee suspend the issuing of street collection permits. It was added that this would be kept under review in the event that guidance and restrictions changed.

The Sub-Committee was also asked to suspend the existing permits issued in December 2019 for BETEL and the Salvation Army. Mr Petrak explained that both of these charities conduct street collections that involved encouraging people to gather in public, with activities such as playing music on the street. Although the Council did not wish to discourage people donating to charity, it was considered that such activity would be incompatible with Covid-19 restrictions, which sought to reduce public gathering where social distancing was not possible. It was also noted the Royal British Legion which also undertook street collections would not have its permit suspended as its collection activities were not considered to be incompatible with the restrictions.

Members of the Sub-Committee considered that although the traditional street collections involving festive music could be positive for public morale over the Christmas period, there was a need during the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure public safety. Therefore it was agreed that further issuing of street collection permits be suspended along with those already issued for BETEL and the Salvation Army.

Resolved: That:

1.      The issuing of Street Collection permits while Blackpool remains under Covid-19 restrictions be suspended; and

2.      That the Trading Standards and Licensing Manager be authorised to revoke permits already issued to BETEL and Salvation Army if Blackpool remains in Tier 3 and they are satisfied that requirements under the Covid-19 restrictions cannot be met.

To consider amending the existing delegation which permits the Trading Standards and Licensing Manager to grant a Horse Drawn Hackney Carriage that is of a non-traditional style.

The Sub-Committee considered amending the existing delegation which permits the Trading Standards and Licensing Manager to grant a Horse Drawn Hackney Carriage that is of a non-traditional style.

Mr Lee Petrak, Trading Standards and Licensing Manager, informed Members that the existing delegation required that any Horse Drawn Hackney Carriage that was of a non-traditional style be referred to the Sub-Committee for approval. This had been done when there was a low number of non-traditional style carriages, some of which had been of poor quality. However in recent years there had been a significant increase in the number of non- traditional style carriage and an improvement in their quality. It therefore considered that approval of such carriage no longer required approval by the Sub-Committee and could be delegated to the Trading Standards and Licensing Manager.

The Sub-Committee agreed that due to the large number o f non-traditional style carriages currently in use that it was appropriate to amend the delegation.

Resolved: That the Sub-Committee approve the amendment to the delegation to permit the Trading Standards and Licensing Manager to grant Horse Drawn Hacney Carriages in a non-traditional style.

To note that date of the next meeting as 8 December 2020.

The date of the next meeting be confirmed as 8 December 2020.