The Licensing Committee of South Kesteven District Council convened on Tuesday, 2 September 2025, to discuss the suspension of the Street Trading Policy 2022 and to review decisions regarding Hackney Carriage and Private Hire driver licenses. The committee agreed to receive a draft revised Street Trading Policy within six months. They also upheld decisions to revoke two drivers' licenses based on failures to comply with the council's Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.

Suspension of the Street Trading Policy 2022

The committee agreed to receive a draft revised Street Trading Policy for information within six months. The decision to suspend the council's Street Trading Policy 2022 was made by the Chief Executive, using emergency powers outlined in the council's constitution. Councillor Philip Knowles, Cabinet Member for Corporate Governance and Licensing, reported that this action was taken due to difficulties in enforcing the current policy and feedback that the application process was overly complicated compared to other districts.

The current policy, adopted in June 2022, requires a six-week application process and specific criteria, including:

• Proof of right to work in the UK
• Passport photograph
• Photograph of the trading unit
• Location plan
• Written permission from the landowner (if privately owned)
• Evidence of insurance of at least £5 million
• MOT certificate (if a vehicle is used)
• Food hygiene rating (if selling food)
• Gas safety certificate (if applicable)
• Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate (DBS) for the operator and each employee

The report noted that the size and rural nature of the district meant there was a reliance on event organisers and traders to apply for a permit, as enforcement action would require a significant level of resources. The council also received feedback that the street trading application process is overly complicated when compared to the process used in other districts.

The suspension, effective from 25 July 2025, allows for a review and a refreshed draft policy to be presented to the Licensing Committee within six months. The committee was informed that the Leader of the Council, the Cabinet Member for Governance and Licensing and the Leader of the Opposition were all consulted before the decision was made and were in agreement with the action taken.

Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976

The committee reviewed decisions regarding two Hackney Carriage drivers, both of whom were found to have violated the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976¹ and the council's Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.

Driver 1

The committee upheld the decision to revoke the Dual Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver's Licence of a driver who had held a licence with South Kesteven District Council since January 2017. The driver was not in attendance at the meeting. The Licensing Officer presented report ENV909, which detailed a history of non-compliance, including:

• Four SKDC penalty points issued in February 2018 for failure to produce relevant documents within the timescale.
• In March 2022, the driver was chased to provide their overdue DVLA check code.
• In March 2023, voicemail chasers were made in respect of refresher training certificates.
• In April 2024, the six-monthly online DBS subscription check failed.
• In February 2025, the driver was chased for their overdue manual DVLA check code.
• In June, the six-monthly online DBS check failed again, indicating that the subscription had not been maintained.

The Licensing Officer stated that numerous attempts to contact the driver had been made, but no response was received.

Members noted the driver's history of non-compliance and failure to attend the meeting, and agreed that the driver was not a fit and proper person to hold a Dual Drivers licence. The committee unanimously voted to revoke the driver's license. The Legal Advisor (LSL), Kim Robertson, read out the committee's decision, noting the right of appeal to the Magistrates' Court within 21 days of written notice.

Driver 2

The committee upheld the decision to revoke the Hackney Carriage Driver's licence of a driver who had held a licence with South Kesteven District Council since May 2012. The driver was not in attendance at the meeting. The Licensing Officer presented report ENV910, which stated that the driver had failed to provide the annual DVLA check code and maintain their DBS subscription.

The Licensing Officer stated that the driver had a new DBS certificate issued in August 2021 as part of their renewal application. The certificate issued was a manual certificate which although was different to an automated certificate the application had the exact same checking process. A manual DBS certificate prevented a driver from signing up to the Update Service.

The report outlined a series of issues, including disputes with the DBS service regarding fees paid and failure to provide a new DBS certificate despite multiple requests. The DVLA check code for 2025 was also outstanding.

Members acknowledged the driver's ongoing issues with the DBS subscription service but noted the lack of evidence provided and the failure to attend the meeting. The committee agreed that the driver had not complied with the council's Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy and was not a fit and proper person to hold a Dual Drivers licence. The committee voted to revoke the driver's license. Kim Robertson read out the committee's decision, noting the right of appeal to the Magistrates' Court within 21 days of written notice.