Parliamentary.ai

Overview

This bill amends the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 to require those offering services from a fixed location in designated areas to obtain a trading licence. This aims to regulate street trading, ensuring fairness and safety.

Description

The bill makes a single key change to the 1982 Act. It expands the definition of "street trading" in Schedule 4, paragraph 1, to include the provision of services, not just the sale of goods. Previously, only those selling goods from a fixed pitch in designated areas needed a licence. This amendment extends this requirement to individuals offering services from such locations.

Specific Changes

The amendment replaces the phrase "or offering for sale of any article" with ", offering or providing for sale of any article or service".

The bill applies to England and Wales only and will come into effect two months after it receives Royal Assent.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify any government spending. The costs associated with the administration of the new licensing system would likely fall on local authorities, possibly requiring increased staffing or administrative resources. The precise financial implications remain unclear.

Groups Affected

This bill primarily affects:

• Individuals and businesses providing services from fixed pitches in designated areas: They will be required to obtain a licence, potentially incurring fees and administrative burdens. This could include street food vendors, mobile repair services, and other similar operations.
• Local authorities: They will be responsible for administering the new licensing system. This may increase their workload and operational costs.