“East Devon District Council (EDDC) is proposing to designate the whole district as a ‘consent street’ – overturning the wide-spread prohibition.
It says the new approach would improve flexibility and pave the way for farmers’ markets or Christmas events, but town councillors are reluctant to hand over control.
Representing Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce, Richard Eley told Monday’s tourism and economy committee meeting: “Our concern is this is opening the door for a free-for-all for all kinds of stalls and vans in the streets of Sidmouth.
“We think too much power is being handed over. There’s also a distinct possibility of unfair competition – they won’t be paying rent or rates.”
He said if the rules had been relaxed last year, EDDC would have found it difficult to resist proposals for a coffee van on Sidmouth beach.
Councillor Ian Barlow added: “We shouldn’t be scared of it if we have control, but if we have no control, we should be very worried.”
But district councillor Frances Newth defended the proposals, saying: “Each application will be considered on its own merits. I don’t see it as a free-for-all, but as prevention of a free-for-all.”
The full council will consider the proposals on July 4.”
http://www.sidmouthherald.co.uk/news/relaxing_street_trading_rules_fears_of_a_free_for_all_in_sidmouth_1_4582237
East Devon Watch 
A “consent street”? Whose consent are we talking about here?
If it is chosen by a majority out of the 59 EDDC Councillors (or members) the vast majority of whom do not live in or anywhere near Sidmouth, that can hardly be called “consent”.
Surely if you want “consent” for a street market, you need the consent of the Town Council whose members ALL live in Sidmouth. Or perhaps to run a properly representative consultation with local residents in order to get consent of the people who live there and have to put up with the consequences.
Do the EDDC Tory leadership have ANY understanding of the real meaning of “democracy”? Or is that at the same level as their understanding of “consent” or “consultation”?
LikeLike