Agenda item

Petition - Ice-Cream Van in Woking Park WBC18-028

Minutes:

The Mayor welcomed to the meeting Mr Joe Bellanca, operator of the Mr Carlos ice-cream van, who presented to the Council a petition seeking the removal of the ‘Café in the Park’ to enable the Mr Carlos van to trade in Woking Park.  The petition had been supported by 1,145 individuals.  The Council had before it a report which set out the details of the petition, together with Officer comments on the request.

Mr Bellanca advised the Committee of the background to the decision of the Council that led to the Café kiosk replacing his ice-cream van, noting that he had unsuccessfully tendered for the opportunity to run the kiosk himself.  The decision of the Council had significantly affected his business, which had been part of Woking’s community for forty years.  Mr Bellanca advised that, despite the petition calling for the removal of the Café, he would be happy to operate in the Park in addition to the Café.  Following his presentation, Mr Bellanca responded to a series of questions by Members in respect of the impact on his business, his views of the Café and where he traded following the decision to prevent any other food vendors from operating in the Park.

Councillor Kemp, Portfolio Holder, introduced the report before the Council and advised that the Café in the Park had been created following a public consultation which had looked at the main types of food and drink visitors to the Park would want to be available.  Ice-cream had come fifth in the list of priorities.  A tender process had been undertaken which had been won by Freedom Leisure which had been awarded a contract for seven years.  It was understood that Freedom Leisure had advised that it would not be willing to share the Park with other operators; if this was not the case, the Council could revisit the matter.

Councillor Lyons moved and Councillor Howard seconded a proposal to allow Mr Bellanca to trade in Woking Park in addition to the Café in the Park.  The proposal would be subject to the arrangement being lawful under the contract with Freedom Leisure.  In accordance with Standing Order 10.8, the names of Members voting for and against the motion were recorded.

In favour:                       Councillors M Ali, A-M Barker, J Bond, A Boote, M Bridgeman, I Eastwood, K Howard, D Hughes, L Lyons, L Morales and M I Raja.

                                      Total in favour – 11

Against:                         Councillors H Addison, S Ashall, A Azad, D Bittleston, A Bowes, G Chrystie, K Davis, D Harlow, Mrs B Hunwicks, S Hussain, C Kemp, N Martin, R Mohammed and C Rana.

                                      Total against – 14

Present not voting:       None.

                                      Total present not voting – 0

The motion was therefore lost by 11 votes in favour to 14 votes against.

Councillor Kemp moved and Councillor Hussain seconded a motion to refer the petition to the Executive.  The proposal would provide an opportunity to discuss Mr Bellanca’s request with Freedom Leisure before a decision was taken by the Council.  A recommendation from the Executive would then be submitted to Council.

In accordance with Standing Order 10.8, the names of Members voting for and against the motion were recorded.

In favour:                       Councillors H Addison, S Ashall, A Azad, A-M Barker, D Bittleston, A Bowes, G Chrystie, K Davis, I Eastwood, D Harlow, K Howard, Mrs B Hunwicks, S Hussain, C Kemp, N Martin, R Mohammed, L Morales and C Rana.

                                      Total in favour – 18

Against:                         None.

                                      Total against – 0

Present not voting:       Councillors M Ali, J Bond, A Boote, M Bridgeman, D Hughes, L Lyons and M I Raja.

                                      Total present not voting – 7

The motion was therefore carried by 18 votes in favour and no votes against.

RESOLVED

That consideration of the petition be referred to the Executive for recommendation to a subsequent meeting of the Council.

Supporting documents: