Agenda item - Setting Licence Fees: Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013

Report of the Head of Regulatory Services (copy attached)

21.1         The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director Environment, Development and Housing, which set out the proposed fees for licences under the new Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013. The report was presented by Mr M Savage-Brookes.

21.2         Councillor Simson noted that officers would have delegated power to award licences, and if they refused whether the matter would go before a Panel. Mr Savage-Brookes confirmed it would.

21.3         Councillor C Theobald asked if under the new legislation dealers would have to keep a record of who they’d obtained the scrap metal from. It was confirmed they would.

21.4         Councillor Gilbey asked for confirmation that there were two types of dealer. It was confirmed there were; those with a site and those who were itinerant and took metal to a permanent site.

21.5         Councillor Simson asked if dealer’s needed a licence for each location they collected from. It was confirmed they would.

21.6         Councillor Deane welcomed the changes and said she would support the recommendations.

21.7         Councillor Simson asked whether there would be sufficient officer resources to ensure compliance, and whether the public would be advised that mobile traders needed to display their licence in their vehicles. Mr Savage-Brookes said that both the police and the local authority would have the authority enforce the legislation. With regard to publicising the changes, it hadn’t been considered but could be done if it was felt appropriate.

21.8         Councillor Hyde asked whether the authority had considered visiting the various sites to ensure that traders were complying with the legislation. Mr Nicholls said that an observation would need RIPA authority, but if there were reasonable grounds it could be applied for. Test purchasing had not been undertaken before, but as this was a new legislation it could be considered if it was felt appropriate.

21.9         Councillor Rufus asked whether a home owner would still be able to take items to scrap metal sites. Ms Cranford said that as a customer you could, but a person would need to provide a passport etc to be able to be paid for the metal.

21.10    RESOLVED – That the proposed fees as set out in Appendix 3 to the report be agreed.