A RAFT of changes to street traders’ fees have finally been approved at the second time of asking after businesses lobbied Barnsley Council to reassess charges.
The adjustments aim to create a ‘fairer and more transparent pricing system’ while helping support the local economy and its traders, according to the council, who approved the move last Thursday.
It comes after the item which was axed from a meeting’s agenda in the summer due to the controversy involving ice cream van operators who faced 4,000 per cent charge increases underwent a ‘root and stem’ evaluation which led to a U-turn.
The town’s contingent of ice cream sellers battled against initial plans for a 400-metre no-go zone around schools, as well as plans to dramatically hike their trading fees.
Following discussions this was revised to 200 metres, but a 100-metre zone was agreed and approved, while the current £250-a-year fee which was first mooted to grow to £14,560 has also been retained.
Under the new system, food traders will now pay an annual fee of £6,000 for a static town centre pitch a sharp decrease from the previous £14,560.
Non-food traders will also benefit from a similar reduction, with their annual fee set at £4,000, down from the same £14,560.
In addition to the lower annual fees for static pitches, all traders will be required to pay a £100 application fee, which will not be refunded if the application is refused.
The standard pitch size has also increased to 18 square meters, to accommodate traders with larger vehicles or set-ups.
However, not all changes are focused on fee reductions as the council also introduced fee increases for occasional trading in the town centre.
Food traders will see their daily fee increase from £70 to £75, while non-food traders will pay a daily fee of £55, up from £50.
Outside the town centre, food traders will see a modest increase in their annual fees, rising from £50 to £55, and non-food traders borough-wide will face a fee increase from £30 to £35.
A report said: “On June 11, cabinet approved the amended street trading policy, including the fees and charges, and recommended to full council to pass a resolution.
“Six weeks later, full council did not pass this resolution.
“Due to a strong lobby from street traders with concerns for levels of fees and charges, an executive decision was taken by the the council’s leader to remove the item from the agenda.
“Officers were instructed to undertake a ‘root and stem’ review to ensure that they were reasonable and affordable.
“As a resolution was not passed, the process for designating the streets had to be restarted.”
