Issue - meetings

To receive and approve the revised pavement license fees report.

The Public Protection Group Manager presented the revised Licensing Fees report to the Committee. The revised fees were introduced by the Government on the 31 March 2023 which enabled Local Authorities to recover their costs associated with administering and managing such licences. It was noted that the fee for a pavement licence was capped at £500 for new applications and £350 for renewals. Once approved a pavement licence would be granted for a two-year period. The pavement licence was introduced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the Government’s scheme to support hospitality businesses. The fees were not set to make a profit, but to recoup the costs of administering the licence. The report asked Members to approve the revised fees set at £400 for new applications and £250 for renewed licences.

During the debate, some Members were pleased with the report and the proposed fees which helped to recover the council’s costs as well as supporting businesses in local high streets and town centres.

Upon being put to the vote it was, unanimously:

RESOLVED that:

a)    the proposed pavement licence fees be approved; and

b)    that the revised fees would take effect from 1August 2024.