The Regulatory Committee met to endorse the draft Street Trading Policy 2026/2029, which will be recommended to the Cabinet for adoption. The committee also approved the minutes from several previous meetings and noted the date of the next meeting.

Street Trading Policy 2026/2029

The committee endorsed the draft Street Trading Policy 2026/2029 and recommended that the Cabinet adopt it at its meeting on 4 November 2025. Once adopted, the policy will be emailed to all street traders.

The Street Trading Policy is reviewed every three years to ensure it remains fit for purpose. According to the Public reports pack, the draft policy, including amendments from the Licensing Officer, was sent for consultation between 30 May 2025 and 1 August 2025. The consultees included:

• all current consent holders
• relevant authorities such as the Thames Valley Police, Environmental Health and Highways
• all Ward Members
• all Town and Parish Councils

The key changes to the policy include:

Environmental measures

• A ban on the supply of certain single-use plastic items and polystyrene containers.
• A requirement for proof of recyclable products to be used in trading activity as part of the application process.
• A requirement for static traders to remove any litter dropped by customers in the vicinity and provide a bin for customers.

Applicant suitability

• The inclusion of right to work¹, traffic and driving offences into applicant suitability.
• Amended staff requiring a DBS certificate² to be from customer facing staff, to staff engaged in street trading, including company officers if a consent holder is applying as a company.

Supporting local businesses

• The addition of a provision where an applicant wishes to apply for multiple traders to operate on one consent street (only one trader permitted at a time) to facilitate themed food events and support premises without kitchen facilities.

Continuity of trading authorisation

• A requirement for renewal applications to be made at least 31 days prior to the expiry of any existing consent. In instances where an application is to be determined at a Regulatory Sub-Committee meeting, a temporary consent permit may be issued to permit street trading beyond the expiry date, ensuring timely applications are not penalised.

Planning

• The formalisation of the Planning Department as a consultee for applications.
• The addition of information relating to restrictions of use of land. A street trading consent application will not supersede planning enforcement.

Public health

• The addition of vapes to prohibited items for sale, consistent with the existing restriction regarding the sale of tobacco.
• A requirement that healthier food and drink choices shall be available to customers.

Councillor Keith McLean, Vice-Chair in the Chair, thanked Kieran Evans, Licensing Officer, for the clear presentation of the proposed policy changes and consultation responses.

Previous Minutes

The committee approved the minutes from the following previous meetings:

• Regulatory Committee meetings held on 12 February 2025 and 4 March 2025, and the special meeting held on 14 May 2025
• Regulatory Sub-Committee meetings held on 27 January 2025, 25 March 2025 and 22 April 2025

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Regulatory Committee will be held on Wednesday 10 December 2025 at 6.35 pm, or on conclusion of the Licensing Committee, whichever is the later.