Issue details

Purpose of the Report:
The report will present options to review the Council’s pavement café licensing process and guidance following the commencement of the pavement licensing provisions laid out in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. The provisions introduce a permanent pavement licensing regime to replace the temporary provisions introduced by the Business and Planning Act 2020, retaining most of the features of the temporary regime but introducing some changes and updated government guidance.

The report will also acknowledge and consider option to address the concerns raised by a petition titled “Support Outdoor Dining in York”, which was presented by Cllr Mason to Full Council on 21 March 2024. The petition was signed by 282 people asking for a review of how pavement cafes can operate in the city centre following the changes to pavement café licences made in areas of the city centre where Blue Badge vehicular access has been reinstated.

Executive Member will be asked to:
Consider options to review the Council’s pavement café licensing process and guidance following the commencement of the new legislation and the submission of the petition.
Changes to the Council’s pavement café licensing process and guidance will also need to be approved by the Council’s Licensing Committee.