Re-designation of streets consultation

Background to the proposal

Currently, streets in Walsall Borough are designated as :

• A licensed street - where the council has granted a licence to a person or organisation to trade from the requested location
• A prohibited street - where the council has prohibited the placement, retention or trading on the street
• A consent street  - where the council has not granted a licence or prohibited the street but requires a consent from the council for any street trading

We have reviewed the current list of designated streets and found that it is outdated, inconsistent and difficult to enforce.

Overview of the proposal

We are proposing to amend the current list of designated streets in Walsall by removing the categories of ‘licensed’ and ‘prohibited’ streets and making all the streets ‘consent streets’.

Re-designating the streets as 'consent' streets will:

• simplify the system and allow more control and flexibility over the use of the street space
• benefit residents and stakeholders who use the streets. It will ensure streets are kept clear of any obstructions, hazards or nuisances that may affect their safety, accessibility or amenity

What re-designating streets will mean

Any person looking to trade from a street in the borough will need to apply for a consent from the council. Each application will be assessed on its merits and we'll decide whether to grant or refuse the consent. We may also impose any conditions or restrictions on the consent.

This means we will:

• have the power to revoke or vary the consent at any time, if it’s considered that it is necessary or appropriate to do so
• charge a fee for the application and administration of the consent, which will vary depending on the type and duration of the consent
• have the power to take legal action against any person or organisation who places, retains or removes any furniture, equipment or other objects on the street without a consent, or who breaches the terms of the consent

Take part in the consultation and have your say

If you are a resident, business owner, customer or visitor, we'd like to hear your views on the proposals. The consultation is open from Monday 22 July to 30 August 2024.

You can email us if you need a printed version of the consultation, or if you'd like to submit any comments or queries.

What happens next

We will analyse the responses to the survey and produce a report summarising the findings and recommendations. The report will be published on our website and presented to the council's Cabinet for a final decision.

The proposed outcome will be published in the local newspaper, and we'll also display notices on the affected streets (prohibited). We will update our guidance and application forms for street consents and provide information and advice to the existing licence holders and potential applicants.