Seasonal street traders in Hereford

[mawillimont]

As always, an interesting debate. Something that Herefordshire's enforcement officers also wish to resolve and are frustrated by. I've therefore consulted the Markets and Fairs Team who regulate pedlars and chuggers and can comment on their behalf as follows:

• Roger is correct - Pedlars are issued with licences by the police, governed by an Act dating way back to 1871...! Enforcement lies with the police, although potentially local authorities in some instances.
• The law is obviously very out-dated now and unclear as to how far and how often pedlars are required to move around.
• Central government have recently concluded a 2 year review into pedlary. Disappointingly, they are proposing very little in the way of changes to the law, meaning enforcement agencies continue to only have limited powers to deal with any problematic pedlars. Unfortunately, fixed penalty notices are not possible and powers of seizure would only be possible if the goods sold were ‘suspect’ and trading standards intervened.
• The large numbers of pedlars at the Christmas Lights Switch On Event were checked to ensure they had been licensed by the police. Many were observed moving around, though potential to move was limited when the area was thronged with people.
• Pedlar numbers in recent years along High Street have been markedly down in comparison to periods before that, and Hereford sees much less pedlar activity than many other town/city centres, with only the weeks before Christmas the only usual time they are seen.
• Some town/city centres have brought in local legislation through Acts of Parliament where pedlars have been a sizeable problem, but the introduction of a Hereford specific bylaw is a very costly process, to be borne by the taxpayer, and one not currently within our budget. It was therefore hopedthat Central Govt would resolve this as per bullet point 3 above.
• With regard to Charity Fundraisers (Chuggers), the Council already has some regulation in place through a Site Management Agreement with the PFRA (Public Fundraising Regulatory Association) www.pfra.org.uk who organise the calendar for face to face fundraising across the country.
• This agreement limits the number of days visits can be made to High Town (max of 3 per week) and ensures no attendance can take place on days where the Council may have issued a street collection licence (Weds/Sat).
• It also limits the number of personnel that can attend on any one day to no more six.
• The PFRA has code of conduct on its website which cuggers/fundraisers should adhere to and the public can make representation to the PFRA if they feel any personnel are not complying with that code.

Hope this adds to your debate and clears up any unanswered questions.

 

Marc Willimont

Head of Development Management & Environmental Health,

Economy, Environment & Culture,

Economy, Communities & Corporate Directorate,

Herefordshire Council,

email:       mwillimont@herefordshire.gov.uk

twitter       @Marc_Willimont

[Ubique]

Thank you Marc for a comprehensive honest answer . Appears that the ball lies with Central Govt. who do not appear to have done much to modernise the rules for these type of situations .

[dippyhippy]

Cheers Marc!

 

You are the best placed person to comment on this! I had hoped you would when I posted my previous comment!

 

Thanks so much for taking the time, as always, it's much appreciated!

[Roger]

 

Something that Herefordshire's enforcement officers also wish to resolve and are frustrated by.

 

 

Difficult area ... And possibly costly ... Is that why the lower hanging fruit is aimed at? Like dropping a cigarette end? 

[Denise Lloyd]

Not really relevant but I had to go to town today.  Went to OLM for the first time then into High Town I don't know what it was but felt enormously relieved once I got back into the real town.  Anyway besides the point can somebody tell me who the band were playing outside M & S?  

[megilleland]

Noticed the band several times - very good. It is made up of half a dozen musicians in full swing. They look as if they are eastern european.

[Denise Lloyd]

So impressed was I  even put some money in their hat - not like me at all - 

[dippyhippy]

Hi Denise,

 

Do you mean the group which have lots of brass players....trumpets etc. and also two accordion players??

 

If so,they are fantastic aren't they??

 

There is also a chap who plays either outside Lloyds Bank, by the Coffee Cart,or by the Black and White House. He sings and plays guitar to his own backing track and also seems to operate - by foot - some sort of beat/rhythm machine. He also writes his own stuff!

 

I was so impressed with his music, I bought a CD! It's brilliant!!

[Denise Lloyd]

Brass players and yes absolutely fantastic I'd probably pay to see them.I didn't see or hear the one outside Lloyds