Agenda item

Present:                   Mr Francisco Franco-Mendes, Team Manager, Public Protection and Licensing; Ms Shannon Pring, Senior Practitioner, Street Trading, Public Protection and Licensing (backup for Mr Franco-Mendes); and Mr Sean Dwyer, Highways Planning Manager, City Highways.

Applicant:               Licensing Authority

Ward:                       Vincent Square

REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROTECTION AND LICENSING

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of Public Protection and Licensing in which the Sub Committee was asked to vary the Designating Resolution passed by the Council on 25 July 1990 and rescind the designation of Pitch 1640 Horseferry Road as the pitch was vacant; had not been used for a period of more than 6 months; and because the pitch was no longer suitable for trading.

Presentation by Mr Francisco Franco-Mendes, Team Manager, Public Protection and Licensing

Mr Francisco Franco-Mendes, Team Manager, Public Protection and Licensing, presented the report, noting the recent history of the pitch, including the grant of a licence on 18 March 2019 to operate the pitch, and the subsequent transfer of that licence on 24 January 2020 to a vacant pitch at Strutton Ground Market.

In recommending rescinding the designation of Street Trading Pitch 1640 Horseferry Road, Mr Franco-Mendes confirmed that the necessary statutory consultations with the Highways Authority, Police and the West End Street Traders’ Association had taken place and that the responses, where applicable, had been included in the report before the Sub Committee.[1]

Presentation by Mr Sean Dwyer, Highways Planning Manager, City Highways

Referring to the photograph in the report before the Sub Committee showing the location of the pitch, Mr Dwyer noted that the footway where the pitch was located on Horseferry Road, south of the junction with Dean Ryall Street, was not particularly wide. As the pitch was located against the railings of the previous Westminster Hospital, and given its dimensions, this left limited space on the footpath for pedestrians. Also, as pedestrians turned from Dean Ryall Street into Horseferry Road, they had to detour around the pitch, which was in front of them as they turned the corner.

Mr Dwyer confirmed that, from a City Highways point of view, the pitch was not in a suitable location. Therefore, City Highways agreed with the proposal of the Licensing Authority to rescind the designation of Pitch 1640.

SUMMING UP

In summing up his presentation, Mr Franco-Mendes stated that, because the pitch had not been used for a period of more than six months, and because the pitch was not in a suitable location, it was the recommendation of the Licensing Authority that:

The Designating Resolution passed by the Council on 25 July 1990 be varied to rescind the designation of Street trading pitch 1640 Horseferry Road.

DECISION

To APPROVE the proposal that the Designating Resolution passed by the Council on 25 July 1990 be varied to rescind the designation of Street trading pitch 1640 Horseferry Road.