The Licensing Committee of the Isles of Scilly Council was scheduled to discuss proposed updates to the council's Licensing Policy and Street Trading Policy. The meeting's agenda included a review of the previous meeting's minutes and consideration of reports requiring a decision on these key policies.

Licensing Policy for the Isles of Scilly

The committee was scheduled to consider the Licensing Policy for the Isles of Scilly, as detailed in the report by the Senior Officer Licensing & Member Liaison. This policy, intended to cover the period from 2026 to 2031, was presented for approval for a 28-day public consultation process. The report highlighted the council's obligation to review its Statement of Licensing Policy every five years, as required by the Licensing Act 2003. It also outlined the statutory requirement to consult with various bodies, including the police, fire and rescue authority, Director of Public Health, and representatives of local premises licence holders, club premises certificate holders, personal licence holders, businesses, and residents.

A significant part of the discussion was expected to focus on the Cumulative Impact Policy (CIA) for Hugh Town. The report noted that the council had failed to undertake reviews of its CIA in accordance with legislative requirements, and the evidence base for the existing CIA was outdated. The policy review process would involve consulting with stakeholders to determine whether to continue with a cumulative impact area designation. The draft policy was constructed around the framework used by Cornwall Council, aiming for robustness and compliance with the Licensing Act 2003.

Street Trading Policy 2026

The committee was also scheduled to discuss the proposed Street Trading Policy for 2026. This policy aims to provide a framework for consistent decision-making regarding street trading on the Isles of Scilly, aligning with the council's strategic priority of promoting economic vitality. The report indicated that the policy would designate specific Consent Streets and Commercial Trading Sites where street trading would be permitted, while also outlining Prohibited Streets deemed unsuitable for trading due to public safety concerns, such as Church Street and The Parade.

Key points of the proposed policy included restricting licensed street trading to approved Commercial Trading Sites, with enforcement managed by the Environmental Health Officer. The policy was designed to come into effect from March 2026, with a 28-day public consultation period. It also addressed existing protections for residents and businesses regarding statutory nuisances such as noise and smells, under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The report noted that previous consultations had occurred, and feedback had informed the redrafting of the policy to focus solely on council-owned land and to integrate various approvals under a single policy. The proposed fee structure was also detailed, moving from an annual fee with additional usage fees to a revised annual application fee with additional monthly trading fees, adjusted annually for inflation.