The report of the Corporate Director, Communities, on Markets and Street Trainding Fees and Charges is marked to follow as it is due to be considered at Cabinet on 10 July 2024 and will be added to the Council agenda should the Cabinet meeting agree for it to be submitted.

The report is available to view on the Council web page for that Cabinet meeting: https://democracy.towerhamlets.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=720&MId=15298&Ver=4

Councillor Shafi Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Environment and the Climate Emergency moved the report on Market and Street Fees & Charges 2024/25. Councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury seconded the report.

Councillor Ahmed said Cabinet had considered the report on the 10^th July 2024 and he was asking Council to approve the recommendations within the report. Members added their comments.

DECISION

Council AGREED to:

1. Note the consultation response; and
2. Agreed to the Option 2 set out in the report, namely to increase the street traders and market fees by 3.1% from September 2024.

Councillor Shafi Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Environment and the Climate Emergency moved the report on Market and Street Fees & Charges 2024/25. Councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury seconded the report.

Councillor Ahmed said Cabinet had considered the report on the 10^th July 2024 and he was asking Council to approve the recommendations within the report. Members added their comments. Some members argued against the increase in fees however when put to the vote Council decided to approve the recommendation within the report.

The Council RESOLVED to:

1. Note the consultation response; and
2. Agreed to the Option 2 set out in the report, namely to increase the street traders and market fees by 3.1% from September 2024.

The Mayor noted and agreed the reasons for urgency, as provided in the report submitted.

DECISION

1.    Note the consultation response.

2.    Recommend to full Council that it agrees option 2, namely to increase the street traders and markets fees by 3.1% from September 2024.

Action by

INTERIM CORPORATE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AND REGENERATION (P. PATTERSON)

Interim Director Public Realm (A. Ali)

The Mayor noted and agreed the reasons for urgency, as provided in the report submitted.

Councillor Shafi Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Environment and the Climate Emergency introduced the report that, following annual review as part of the financial and business planning process, presented findings of the consultation on market trading fees and charges and recommended fees for 2024/25. Councillor Ahmed asked the Mayor and Cabinet to note that fees and charges relating to street trading must be approved by full Council.

The Mayor asked officers to ensure that the report to Council recommending the changes include a pounds and pence breakdown of how the new fees would compare to those charged in 2023/24.

RESOLVED that the Mayor in Cabinet:

1. Notes the consultation response.

2. Recommends to full Council that it agrees option 2 from the report, namely to increase the street traders and markets fees by 3.1% from September 2024.