Decision on pavement policy while A-board rules are figured out

More than 40 per cent of shops that place items outside on Shrewsbury’s pavements are doing so without a permit and may lack insurance to cover pedestrian accidents, councillors have heard.

Shropshire Council’s trading standards chief Frances Darling said, if true, the allegation means users of the path were being put at risk and the authority is missing out on “pavement permit” revenue .

In a public question to the Place Overview Committee, Susan Coleman said 35 town centre premises were known to have the licenses, but 25 businesses “who display goods or devices on the pavement” were absent from the council’s list.

A report before the committee recommended first-time pavement permit charges increase from £135 to £213 and renewals rise from £50 to £113, but a final decision was deferred while a policy on A-board advertisements is finalised.

Ms Coleman, who is standing as a Conservative candidate in the town’s Radbrook ward in next year’s local election, asked “what arrangements are being made for enforcement” of the pavement permit scheme.

She said: “Currently, 35 premises in Shrewsbury town centre have licences, according to a list supplied by Trading Standards, but there are another 25 businesses who display goods or devices on the pavement who do not appear on that list.

“Many of them use considerable space and have been doing so for many years.

“Not only is it possible that, if they do not have a licence, they may not have suitable public liability insurance, but, if the situation is similar to other towns throughout Shropshire, then considerable revenue is not being collected.”

A reply from Ms Darling, the council’s Trading Standards and Licensing Operations Manager, was read to the committee by chairman Joyce Barrow.

It said: “It is acknowledged that information has been received alleging 25 businesses in Shrewsbury town centre do not hold a valid pavement permit.

“It is accepted that there are revenue implications for the council, and effective enforcement is required to address this.

“However, the greater concern is the safety implications of properly-managed pavement use.

“The current level of resources that will be funded provides for a reactive advisory response.”

A proactive response would be impossible to fund without “significantly increasing” funding, and even then the officers “may or may not witness non-compliance” while on patrol, she said.

Ms Darling encouraged the public to provide photographic evidence of violations they witness.

The committee received a report, summarising the work of a “Signs, Boards and Banners Policy” group, which pointed out Shropshire Council has guidelines but no agreed policy for A-boards – free-standing metal, plastic or wooden advertising boards.

The group felt a licensing scheme “would impose a considerable administrative burden on the council”, leading to charges. Ludlow, Market Drayton, Shrewsbury and Oswestry town councils all expressed interest in administering their own policies, but pointed out obstacles.

“A lack of legal capacity meant they were unsure whether they were able to manage the powers without some ongoing support from Shropshire Council,” the report added.

Cllr Barrow declined to put the recommendations to the committee, and instead asked scrutiny officer Danial Webb to schedule an additional meeting of the Signs, Boards and Banners Policy group.