Council could scrap controversial A-board charges
Controversial charges for traders wishing to put out advertising boards or tables and chairs in town centres could be scrapped by Cannock Chase Council – and businesses who have paid up will be in line for a refund if the policy is axed.
The Policy for Commercial Use of the Highway was introduced two years ago to Cannock Chase and aimed to improve safety in town centres, by ensuring businesses did not cause obstructions that may put other visitors at risk.
But the £85 charge for a three year permit to put an A-Board in the street proved unpopular with many people – as did the £300 charge for town centre cafes wishing to offer outdoor tables and chairs to customers.
For more than a year there have been calls for the charges to be scrapped – and the move was recommended by a council working group in October 2018. But in December senior councillors instead agreed to review the scheme.
On Thursday however cabinet members backed plans to replace the policy with a new charter however, which will be issued to businesses and offer guidelines.
Complaints about items considered dangerous in the town centre would be referred to Staffordshire County Council (SCC) for action. Cannock Chase Council would only consider intervening using its planning enforcement powers if there was “repeated non-compliance with the charter and SCC do not enforce using highway powers”, a report to Thursday’s cabinet meeting said.
The changes are set to cost Cannock Chase Council £2,000 – including officer time and materials – for designing, producing and printing leaflets, the report added.
Councillor Christine Martin, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “About £4,500 was collected in permit fees. I believe this should be refunded and we shall do this.
“The charter will set out clear guidelines so that businesses can use the highway in a way which does not cause any danger to other highway users, particularly those with a visual impairment or mobility difficulty. Cabinet has also asked officers to examine how DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks for fairground ride operators can be retained.”
Members of the council’s Green Party and Conservative groups have been calling for a re-think of the policy for many months.
The cabinet recommendation made at Thursday’s meeting will now be presented to the next full council meeting on November 6.
