Future street trading licences may only be given out following a security check, according to consultation documents.

Swale council is asking for views on new changes to its existing street trading policy.

The policy outlines how the council will license street trading around the borough, including whether to approve or refuse new street trading applications and how to manage existing holders.

The changes include a requirement for all stall holders to provide a current Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate and route details for ice cream and food vans.

Stall holders at individual events may also need to hold their own licence.

Community cabinet member, Cllr Richard Palmer (Swale Ind), said: “Consumer protection is at the heart of the Street Trading Policy review.

“We want to make sure customers are safe and can shop with peace of mind.

"We want to make sure customers are safe."

“Introducing a DBS check for all traders will alert us to any previous convictions a stall holder may have, allowing us to make an informed decision on whether to approve or refuse an application.

“Requesting proposed routes, streets and stopping places for ice cream and mobile food vans will ensure we can provide a variety of choice for residents while helping to protect traders’ livelihoods.

“At the moment, anyone who holds a community event is liable for all the stall holders they choose to have on site which we don’t think it’s fair, so we’re proposing that each individual stall holder has their own license for each event."

Cllr Palmer also said the council needs to remove a rule which will mean traders will now need a license when setting up away from the road.

“The most important change we need to make is the removal of the current seven-metre exemption rule," he added.

"We want people to have their say."

“We’ve been operating on the basis that if a trader is seven-metres away from the roadside then they do not need a license which is incorrect. This is only accurate for London boroughs and not for Swale, so we want to correct this and make sure we are current with the correct legislation."

Once the changes to the policy have been agreed a further review of the fees is expected to take place, as they have not been updated for seven years.

Cllr Palmer added: “We are not allowed to make a profit from licensing, so any changes to the fees will be directly in line with how much it costs for us to run the service.

“We want people to have their say on how they want their street traders and markets managed and encourage people to get in touch to let us know their views.

“The aim of the policy is to create a street trading environment that is sensitive to the needs of the local public and businesses.”

Visit www.swale.gov.uk/draft-street-trading-policy to view the draft policy.

To have your say, email licensing@swale.gov.uk or write to Swale Borough Council, Licensing Department, Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3HT.

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