Agenda item - Member Involvement

23.1    There was one Member question submitted by Councillor Pickett.

23.2    Question: Increasingly, I have received a number of complaints from residents regarding ice cream vendors. It would seem that they are flouting licensing laws with regard to where they can trade, particularly on the seafront area, in parks, etc. Why is this happening?

It is upsetting residents and putting their lives at risk (particularly children’s) in relation to driving in prohibited areas where people are not expecting vehicles to be driving. They are also doing this at speed. When confronted they have been abusive and aggressive.

What regulations do we as a council have in place to enforce vendors to adhere to licensing rules with regard to where they trade and what can be done to ensure vendors understand the rules and why they need to keep to them?

23.3    Response: Under Brighton & Hove City Council’s Street Trading Policy, mobile vendors such as ice cream vans are only permitted to trade in Zone B – that is, outside the city centre. Zone A, which includes the seafront, Madeira Drive, and our public parks, is strictly off-limits for mobile trading. These restrictions are in place to protect public spaces and ensure the safety of residents and visitors, especially children.

Despite these clear rules, we’ve received troubling reports of vendors trading in prohibited areas, driving at unsafe speeds in pedestrian zones, and in some cases, responding with aggression when challenged. This behaviour is not only unacceptable – it poses a serious risk to public safety.

To address this, the Council is taking several steps. Our Environmental Enforcement Officers are monitoring known hotspots. They can issue Community Protection Warnings, followed by Notices, and ultimately Fixed Penalty Notices or pursue prosecution for continued breaches.

Licensing Officers, while they do not have powers to issue on-the-spot fines, do play a key role. If a vendor is registered with us and breaches their conditions, Licensing can issue breach letters and, if necessary, revoke their Street Trading Consent.

We also work closely with Parking Services to report and monitor complaints involving illegal or unsafe parking by vendors, particularly in restricted or pedestrianised areas.

We are engaging directly with vendors when complaints are made to ensure they understand the terms of their consent and the reasons behind them – especially the importance of public safety.

Aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated and may result in revocation of consent. And where vendors are observed driving dangerously – speeding or entering pedestrian zones – these are police matters. Such incidents should be reported directly to Sussex Police. In emergencies, call 999. For non-urgent concerns, use 101 or the online reporting tool.

I do want to acknowledge that, in the grand scheme of things, our powers are limited – particularly when it comes to unlicensed traders or criminal behaviour. But we are committed to using the tools available to us, working in partnership with other services, and doing everything we can to protect the safety and enjoyment of our public spaces.

23.4    Answers to Councillor Pickett questions: The unlicensed traders are an issue. However, licenses can be retracted following complaints from those traders with a permit. Sea Front and police patrols look at permits and all permit holders are written to at the start of each season reiterating objectives. The top fine is £250.00, and the council can prosecute offenders. The council parking team are also engaged in patrolling the sea front.