Proposed Street Trading Fees and Charges 2021/22

Overview

Birmingham City Council is the Licensing Authority responsible for considering applications for a range of activities that require a street trading consent under Schedule 4 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982.

The Street Trading Policy 2020 was approved by City Council on 3 November 2020.  The aim of the new policy is to create a street trading environment which is sensitive to the needs of the public and businesses, provides quality consumer choice and contributes to the character and ambience of the local environment whilst ensuring public safety, and preventing crime, disorder and nuisance.

We are reviewing our street trading fees to reflect the requirements of the new policy and are seeking views on these proposed fees. This consultation is open from 13 November 2020 until 10 December 2020.

The proposed fees can be found attached at the bottom of this page.

Why your views matter

What is included in the fees?

Street trading fees include the cost of administrating the consent scheme and processing the consents, as well as compliance with those consents.  A small proportion of the fee relates to dealing with illegal street traders (thus protecting legitimate traders).  The proposed fees are considered reasonable and proportionate and directly relate to the costs of delivering the service.

Why is there an application fee and a consent fee?

The fees are split into a non-refundable application fee and a consent fee as required by the EU Services Directive and supported by case law (R (Hemming and Others) vs Westminster City Council). Each fee takes account of salary costs, overhead costs, and processing and activity times.

Why are there different fees for annual and occasional consents?

In producing the proposed fees it is accepted that costs vary dependent on the required level of activity related to particular locations where consents are held and the number of days trading takes place.  In particular, for annual city centre consents, there will be frequent compliance and other site visits. Less frequent visits are required to annual consents outside the city centre.  For occasional consents citywide the number of visits and/or the administrative tasks required reduce as the trading days reduce. For street trading consents (annual or occasional) held at sports stadia, officers to visit in pairs given the trading environment and evening events. 

What’s the proposed plan?

The Council wants to consult with all interested parties in relation to the proposed fees shown below.  The fees relate to any applications for a street trading consent for the year 2021/22 and to any consents granted for the year 2021/22.

Where an annual consent application is submitted mid-year then the full application fee will still be payable.  The consent will be adjusted (pro rata) for the number of trading months and applicants should contact the street trading team in advance of an application for clarification of the fee required.

Where to send your feedback

You can complete the online survey via the link below or alternatively please send your feedback to streettrading@birmingham.gov.uk by 10 December 2020.