The Council controls street trading in the Blaenau Gwent area by issuing consents to traders operating within the area in accordance with Schedule 4 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions Act) 1982.
Street trading is defined as selling or exposing or offering for sale, any article (including any living thing) in a street. All roads, footways, land to which the public have access without payment (as defined by section 329 of the Highways Act 1980) and service areas, in the area, are designated ‘streets’ for the purposes of the act.
The adoption of this legislation allows the Council to control street trading by approving the site, the vehicle/unit being used, the commodities sold and the hours during which the trading takes place. Conditions can also be imposed on consents to protect the public and limit noise nuisance.
Consents will only be considered on receipt of a completed application form, fee and relevant documents. Consultation with other departments and organisations will then take place and, if appropriate, the consent will be granted for a maximum period of one year.
If a person is found guilty of street trading without consent, they could be liable to a fine of up to £1,000.