To consider the street trading application to extend the terminal hour of trading and reach a decision.

The Head of Planning and Regulations had submitted a report to inform the determination of a street trading application to extend the terminal hour of trading.

Mr Tasneem Shabbir (applicant) and Matthew Stead, Senior Licensing Officer, joined the meeting.

The Chair explained the hearing procedures to be followed and asked all attendees to introduce themselves.

The Senior Licensing Officer presented a summary of the report, stating that Mr Shabbir was granted permission to trade from a long-standing street trading spot on George Street in July 2023. Mr Shabbir's consent was granted in accordance with the policy of standard nighttime street trading hours of 1830 to 0300.

The Sub-Committee was informed that no complaints had been filed against Mr Shabbir's manner of trading. Additionally, Mr Shabbir had demonstrated cooperation with the requirements of the County Council in relation to road works in George Street by agreeing to relocate his van when necessary.

Mr Shabbir submitted additional materials, including video and photographs showing patrons arriving at his kebab van past the terminal hour of his operation. The Sub-Committee agreed to consider the additional materials submitted.

The Sub-Committee was reminded that it was required to determine the application based on the contents of the full report included in the agenda pack circulated prior to the meeting.

In response to a question, Mr Shabbir stated that he was aware of three street traders who were successfully granted an extension of hours.

Mr Shabbir addressed the Sub-Committee. He thanked the panel for the opportunity to speak and presented his request for an extension of hours until 0400. He explained that he faced issues on weekends having to refuse service to aggressive customers due to his current consent requiring him to cease operations at 0300. He mentioned that extending his hours would also allow him to serve local workers who finished work at this odd hour and had become regular customers.

Mr Shabbir made a further request for a permanent marking of his street trading spot to address and prevent other road users from blocking it, further stating that this would support his application for an electricity permit.

The Legal Adviser asked the Senior Licensing Officer to clarify how street traders such as Mr Shabbir could obtain a permanent marking. The Senior Licensing Officer stated that the City Council was currently working on a scheme with the County Council to permanently mark all street trading spots in the city centre, and eventually all street trading spots in the city. This would be achieved through changes in the Traffic Restriction Order which was hoped to be implemented later in the year, addressing the unauthorised use of these trading spots. He further stated that both councils had already identified some permanent street trading spots in the centre, including one approximately located where Mr Shabbir was currently trading.

Mr Shabbir concluded by reiterating his request for an extension of his operating hours, emphasising the positive feedback he had so far received, particularly from the Licensing Authority. He expressed hope that the Sub-Committee had understood and accepted his representations.

The Chair thanked Mr Shabbir and the Senior Licensing Officer for their contributions. They were asked to leave the room while the Sub-Committee considered the application.

The Sub-Committee noted the representations made at this hearing. Having considered all submissions, the Sub-Committee agreed to approve the proposed street trading application to extend the terminal hour of trading to 0400 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The Senior Licensing Officer and Mr Shabbir re-joined the meeting and were informed of the Sub-Committee's decision.

The General Purposes Licensing Casework Sub-Committee resolved to:

• Grant Mr Shabbir's street trading consent to extend the terminal hour of trading to 0400 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays as set out in Section 17.2 of the Oxford City Council Street Trading Policy.

Mr Shabbir was reminded that there is no statutory right of appeal to the Sub-Committee's decision set out above.