The Regulatory Committee was scheduled to discuss a range of licensing and regulatory issues, including public entertainment, street trading, sexual entertainment venues, and licence fees. The committee was also expected to consider a referral from the Culture and Communities Committee regarding the Edinburgh Filmhouse¹.

Street Trading and Market Operators Policy

The committee was scheduled to discuss the Street Trading and Market Operators Policy, focusing on the outcomes of a consultation regarding street trading at Playfair Steps, the High Street and Hunter Square.

The report pack included a recommendation to agree that street trading and market operation at Playfair Steps, High Street and Hunter Square is unlikely to be considered appropriate due to concerns about congestion and accessibility in those areas.

The report pack also detailed that the committee was to consider approving the following amendments to the Street Trading and Market Operator policy and the Street Trader Licence conditions:

• removing the reference to 13 annual trading stances in section 5 of the policy
• including a statement that Playfair Steps, Hunter Square and High Street are unlikely to be suitable for the granting of street trading and market operators licence
• removing any reference to weekly draws for stalls in these areas
• explaining that temporary applications for street trading in connection with events will be considered on a case-by-case basis
• amending standard Street Trading Licence conditions 10 and 11 to remove the requirement for a licence holder to wear an ID badge at all times when trading.

The consultation exercise, which ran from 10 March to 2 June 2025, gathered views on the Council's policy, with a focus on trading in the three city centre locations. The consultation received 120 responses, which were summarised in a report provided to the committee.

The report pack noted that the committee also held evidence sessions with street traders and market operators, representatives of premises operating in the affected areas, and community organisations.

The report pack included written responses from:

• Police Scotland
• The City of Edinburgh Council's Public Safety team
• National Galleries Scotland
• Gold Brothers Group
• Members of licensed trade (street trader and market operator)

The report pack also included an Integrated Impact Assessment, which stated that if the proposed policy was not approved, the existing Street Trading policy would remain in effect.

Public Entertainment Resolution

The committee was scheduled to consider a report proposing a consultation on the City of Edinburgh Council's Public Entertainment Resolution 2021.

The report pack noted that the purpose of the licensing system is to prevent crime and to ensure public safety, and that every person who applies for a licence is assessed to determine whether they are 'fit and proper' to have a licence.

The report pack stated that the range of activities being offered by venues across the city has expanded in recent years, leading to some concerns that the resolution needs updating or lacks clarity as to whether specific activities fall within the public entertainment licensing requirement. Examples of such activities include surfing, indoor climbing, trampoline venues and ice skating.

The report pack also noted that the current standard Public Entertainment Licence conditions have been in force since 1997, and that there is a clear need to review and modernise the existing conditions to ensure they remain fit for purpose.

The report pack included a recommendation that the committee agree to a review of the activities which are included in the Public Entertainment Resolution, and note the proposed approach and timeline for that review; agree that the statutory procedure for making a variation to the City of Edinburgh Public Entertainment Resolution 2021 should be commenced; and agree that the consultation shall also extend to the standard Public Entertainment Licence conditions at the same time as the consultation on the revised Resolution.

Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015 – Sexual Entertainment Venues

The committee was scheduled to consider a report providing information to allow it to consider if further review of the current Sexual Entertainment Venues (SEV) policy is required.

The report pack noted that the scheme has been in effect since 2024, and that paragraph 8.1 of the current SEV policy states that the committee will review this on an annual basis, or more frequently if required.

The report pack stated that since the numbers limit was agreed in February 2024 and the scheme commenced, three SEV operators have applied for and been granted a licence after a hearing of the Licensing Sub-Committee, and that one application to vary a licence was also granted by committee.

The report pack included a recommendation that the committee agree that no changes should be made to the existing SEV policy or current conditions framework, and that the committee should receive annual reports on the operation of the licensing system, and that a wider public consultation and consideration of the appropriate number of SEVs be brought forward to committee after three years of operation of the licensing scheme.

Edinburgh Filmhouse – Uncertified Films

The committee was scheduled to consider a referral from the Culture and Communities Committee regarding the Edinburgh Filmhouse and uncertified films.

The Culture and Communities Committee requested that the Regulatory Committee consider the unique circumstances and burden on The Filmhouse and explore, through a report to the next appropriate committee regarding:

• Whether the license of The Filmhouse could be amended to provide the ability to self-certify non-BBFC films by an amendment to Clause 3 of their license.
• Whether the Scheme of Delegation could be amended to mean that decisions specifically relating to non-BBFC certificated film screenings at The Filmhouse are delegated to council officers, removing one additional layer of bureaucracy and necessary wait for committee scheduling.
• Any alternative potential solutions that may alleviate or reduce the administrative burden and streamline the process for council officers, councillors and The Filmhouse in processing the high number of requests for screenings of non-BBFC certificated films.

Licence Income from Fees 2023/24 and 2024/25

The committee was scheduled to receive a report providing information on the income collected from licensing fees during the last two full financial years.

The report pack stated that the Council's activities as a Licensing Authority are funded directly by income raised from licence application fees, and that the operations of Licensing services do not receive funding from the Council's general revenue fund.

The report pack noted that income is collected from licence applications and is coded against four main licence types: Taxis and PHCs etc; HMOs; STLs; and Civic (which includes any other licence types dealt with by the Council).

The report pack included details of the income and expenditure in these accounts, and the current reserves.

Rolling Actions Log and Work Programme

The committee was scheduled to review the rolling actions log, which details ongoing tasks and their completion dates. One action on the log related to officers procuring consultants to undertake a consultation and over-provision survey on private hire cars operating in Edinburgh, and reporting back so that the committee can consider introducing a cap on PHC numbers, if over-provision is identified.

The committee was also scheduled to note the work programme, which lists items for future meetings.