Agenda item - Member Involvement

To consider the following matters raised by Members:

(a)          Petitions: To receive any petitions referred from Full Council or submitted directly to the Committee;

(b)          Written Questions: To consider any written questions;

(c)          Letters: To consider any letters;

To receive and consider the letter submitted by Councillor Wealls requesting enforcement in George Street, Hove of Byelaw banning “touting” (copy attached)

(d)          Notices of Motion: to consider any Notices of Motion referred from Full Council or submitted directly to the Committee.

18a     Petitions

18.1    There were none.

18b     Written Questions

18.2    There were none.

18c     Letters

Enforcement in George Street, Hove, of Byelaw Banning “Touting”

18.3    The Committee considered a letter submitted by Councillor Wealls requesting enforcement in George Street of a Byelaw banning “touting”. A copy of the letter had been circulated with the agenda papers. Councillor Nemeth spoke in his capacity as Opposition Spokesperson on the Committee in Councillor Wealls absence.

18.4    The Chair, Councillor Daniel, stated that she was grateful that the issue had been raised and was of the view that it would be appropriate for a report detailing the powers available under existing Bye-Laws and setting out other options including their respective financial implications any to be brought forward to the next scheduled meeting of the Committee.

18.5    Councillor Nemeth stated that George Street was a busy shopping area and that the persistent behaviour of some of those collecting for charity was a nuisance and that some, such as elderly shoppers and residents found it intimidating. A number of complaints had been received by Local Ward Councillors.

18.6    Councillor West considered it was important to seek clarification of the different types of activity and at the implications arising from enforcement. Councillor Peltzer Dunn concurred. The Executive Director, Neighbourhoods, Communities and Housing stated that a Bye-Law already existed in relation to  activities taking place in George  Street and as part of any assessment of  future options it was important to look at how that had been drafted and how it could be reworded/better enforced. It was important to revisit that as a blanket ban on use of George Street would also preclude those selling poppies for example. Councillor Peltzer Dunn stated that he was grateful for the clarification which had been given and would welcome a report on this issue.

18.7    RESOLVED – That a further report be brought forward for consideration at the next scheduled meeting of the Committee detailing possible options to counter nuisance caused by charity chuggers in George Street, Hove.

18d     Notices of Motion

18.8    There were none.