The Licensing Committee of Croydon Council met on Wednesday 19 December 2018, resolving to vary street trading hours for a business on High Street, Croydon, and refusing an application for a street designation order in Thornton Heath. The committee also approved new licence fees for skips and scaffolds.

Variation to Street Trading Licence

The committee considered an application to vary the street trading licence for 16-26 High Street, Croydon, CR0 1GT¹. The Licensing Manager, Michael Goddard, explained the application process, noting that no representations had been received from responsible authorities or the public. The applicant stated that extending the permitted trading hours would allow the business to benefit from the pedestrianisation of the high street. The committee RESOLVED to vary (extend) the permitted trading hours for the current licence.

Application for Street Designation Order

An application for a street designation order for 32-34 High Street, Thornton Heath, CR7 8BF² was considered. Michael Goddard, the Licensing Manager, outlined the application process, and it was noted that no representations had been received. The applicant was not present to discuss the application. Members of the committee expressed disappointment that questions regarding public safety, the size of the proposed display area, and its impact on pavement space remained unanswered. It was confirmed that the applicant had been given 21 days' notice that their application would be reconsidered. The committee RESOLVED to refuse the application on the grounds that issues regarding public safety could not be ascertained. Furthermore, the committee noted that the premises is situated within a designated saturation area, and applications in such areas are generally refused unless the applicant can provide reasons for an exception. Despite having notice of the hearing, the applicant was unavailable to attend and provide such reasons.

Setting of Licence Fees: Skips and Scaffolds

The committee reviewed a report on the setting of licence fees for skips and scaffolds, in accordance with the Highways Act 1980³ and the Local Authorities (Transport Charges) Regulations 1998⁴. Michael Goddard, the Licensing Manager, explained the rationale behind the proposed fees, which were based on a cost recovery principle and were set to come into effect on 1 February 2019. The committee heard that the fee structures of other local authorities were not considered when setting these proposed fees. The committee RESOLVED to agree the recommendations of the report and the setting of the new licence fees.