Bars and clubs asked to contribute towards taxi marshall scheme

More City centre bars and clubs are being asked to give financial backing to the Taxi Marshall scheme that has been making St Albans safer.

St Albans City and District Council has been helping to run the project designed to ensure people return home safely after a night out.

The Marshalls patrol taxi queues in St Peter’s Street and Batchwood Hall to stop them becoming flashpoints for alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour.

Many local businesses may benefit from the measure which is intended to keep St Albans as a safe and pleasant place for an evening out. (more…)

Note from the district council

A review of St Albans City and District Council’s policy on gambling is now open for public consultation.

Councils are obliged by law to review their gambling licensing policy every three years and the latest proposals can be viewed in full online.

All interested parties – including community groups, businesses and individuals – have until Thursday 8 October to have their say.

Their views will be considered by Councillors from the Licensing and Regulatory Committee before any policy changes are voted on. (more…)

Change to charity permits

Statement from St Albans District Council

Charity collectors working in the St Albans District will know exactly what is expected of them following a revision of the licensing rules.

St Albans City & District Council has amended the policy for the issuing of permits for street and house-to-house collections of money and clothing.

Parish Councils and Neighbourhood Watch schemes are being informed of the changes and told how to report any concerns about collectors to the Council.

Any member of the public who is concerned whether or not a collection is genuine can call the Council on 01727 819254.

The new policy is designed to ensure fund-raisers are donating the maximum amount possible to charity and that no personal or commercial profit is being made.

Permits for house-to-house clothing collections will normally be granted where it is shown that all of the profits are being given to charity.

It is hoped the changes will maintain the reputations of local and national charities operating in the District and bolster public confidence in their fund-raising activities. (more…)

Changes to street trading fees proposed

Proposals to reduce licensing fees for street trading are being recommended by St Albans City and District Council’s Local Services Scrutiny Committee.

At a meeting on Tuesday 7 January, the Committee recommended that the Licensing and Regulatory Committee implement a new two-tier licensing fee structure for street trading.

This follows a review by a Task and Finish Group after concerns were raised by local businesses and councillors that street trading fees were unreasonable.

The proposed fees are based on the actual cost of providing the licensing service. They are in line with a recent ruling in the case of Hemmings v Westminster City Council (2012) and the European Services Directive on the calculation of licensing fees.

The proposed fees are less than those currently charged and renewals will now attract a smaller fee than the initial grant. (more…)

Street trading fees to be reviewed

Street trading fees to be reviewed: press release from district council

St Albans City and District Council’s policy on street trading fees is being reviewed following a recommendation by the Local Services Scrutiny Committee.

At a meeting last night (3 October) the Committee agreed to set up a Task and Finish Group made up of councillors to look into the level of fees being charged for street trading.

The fees are included in a street trading policy approved by the Licensing and Regulatory Committee on 22 January 2013 following a 12-week consultation. (more…)