Agenda and minutes

            An apology for inability to attend was reported from Councillor O’Reilly.

            (Ms. P. Morrow, Acting Tourism Development Manager, and Ms. C. Mathers, Cultural Tourism Officer, attended in connection with this Item)

            The Committee considered the undernoted report in respect of the designation of streets within the City as suitable for Street Trading:

“Relevant Background Information

      Members will recall that in April 2007 the Committee granted approval to initiate the statutory process for designating a number of street trading sites relating to 28 streets or part thereof. These sites have been identified as a result of applications or expressions of interest from individual traders and from the Council’s Development Department. The Development Department commissioned a feasibility report on outdoor markets and subsequent Committee discussions suggested that Fountain Street, College Street, areas in the Cathedral Quarter and around Lanyon Place might make suitable locations for individual street trading pitches.

      The initial step of consultation has been completed, with the publication of the Statutory 28 Day Notice inviting representation from interested parties or individuals in the Irish News, Belfast Telegraph and News Letter on the 20th July 2007. The Notice detailed the streets or part thereof and commodities for consideration (See Appendix E).

      The Environmental Health Service also wrote to the Statutory Consultees inviting representation and to other interested parties including Belfast City Centre Management and Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce. Consultees were asked, in determining the suitability of each proposed street or part thereof, to take into account the following and any other issues that they considered relevant:

(a)  the safety of the public and any risks which may arise;

(b)the future development plans for the location;

(c)  the appropriateness and suitability of the street and part thereof and commodities in relation to the location and to the potential adverse impact that it would have upon the character and appearance of Conservation Areas and on adjacent Listed Buildings;

(d)the extent to which the sale of the commodity will provide a useful service to the local community, not otherwise provided in the area;

(e)the potential environmental effects arising from the sale of the commodity, such as additional litter, cleansing requirements, noise, odour and the possibility of increasing anti-social activities;

(f)  Any statutory grounds, which would lead to refusal.

      Consultees were also asked to include consideration of those commodities or services, which may or may not be sold or supplied in the event that the street or part thereof is the subject of a Designating Resolution.

      In addition, adjoining and close by premises were consulted and four public meetings were held in City Hall to inform retailers, market traders, arts groups and craft groups about the consultation process and to ask for their views through written representation.

      Responses have been received from over 25 groups and individuals as a result of the public consultation. Responses have also been received from the Police, Fire and Rescue Service and the Department for Social Development, the Roads Service and City Centre Regeneration Directorate.

      Additionally, the Council commissioned Professor Bill Morrison  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.