Issue details

Licensing of Tables and Chairs on the Highway

It is a legal requirement for businesses to have a licence for tables and chairs positioned on the highway (this includes pavements) and the County Council must be able to assess each location for its suitability. The increasing number of tables and chairs on the highway has led to a significant rise in complaints.

 

The licence fee, which includes the cost of undertaking site assessments, legal work in preparing the licences, advertising and the on-going management of the scheme must ensure full cost recovery. 

 

Further to the commitment to review the charging mechanism, there was a consultation with traders, stakeholders, the public and Members about the benefits of a scheme which takes into account the size of the area occupied by the tables and chairs. The Environment and Communities Select Committee considered and supported the proposals at its meeting in March.

 

The Cabinet Member will be asked to consider the outcome of the consultation and agree a fee structure for the positioning of tables and chairs on the highway.

 

(On 8 June, all fees relating to licences for tables and chairs on the highway were waived with immediate effect until the end of March 2021. This key decision concerns the proposed new fee structure which will take effect from 1 April 2021.)

 

Decision type: Key

Reason Key: Affects more than 1 division;

Decision status: Deleted

Divisions affected: (All Divisions);

Notice of proposed decision first published: 29/01/2020

Decision due: July 2020 by Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure

Lead member: Councillor Roger Elkins roger.elkins@westsussex.gov.uk

Contact: Michele Hulme Email: michele.hulme@westsussex.gov.uk Tel: 033 022 23880.

Consultation process

Representations concerning this proposed decision can be made to the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure, via the officer contact, by the beginning of the month in which the decision is due to be taken.

 

Consultees

Stakeholder consultation commencing 27 January 2020.

Environment and Communities Committee 5 March 2020.

Democratic Services Contact: Judith Shore Tel. 033 022 26052

Background3: A Prosperous Place

Agenda items

Background papers

  • None