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Jon Ruder, Licensing, Food and Safety Manager, presented a report on the Draft
Scrap Metal Dealers Policy, and assisted the Committee with their discussions. The
report was introduced and Members were advised that the Policy had to be renewed
for the next few years, and as such, had been circulated in order that consultation on
the contents could take place. Following the end of the consultation period, no
responses at all had been received, and the Committee were requested to agree the
adoption of the draft policy, and to recommend to Council that if form part of the
statutory framework.
Councillor Hogg enquired whether the policy would apply to all persons carrying out
relevant activities, or whether some groups would in fact stand outside the policy and
instead have to be the subject of a criminal investigation. Jon Ruder explained that
no one was treated as ‘standing outside the law’, and confirmed that the rules, and
therefore the proposed policy, would apply equally to all, and if a licence was
required it would be required regardless of who was conducting the activity. Jon
further commented that if people had entered an area and were trading unlawfully,
then it would be the job of Colchester Borough Council working in conjunction with
the Police to oppose such activity. It was also clarified that responsibility lay with
members of the public to ensure that any scrap metal that they disposed of was
passed to a properly licensed collector. Jon explained that it was now unlawful to
trade scrap metal for cash and he would happily investigate any allegations of
wrongdoing whenever he was presented with any evidence of this.
Councillor Harris commented that the legislation governing the licensing of scrap
metal dealers had come into force in 2013, and enquired whether it was known how
many licences there currently were within Colchester Borough. Jon Ruder explained
that there had been a recent audit on the number of licences and that from memory
there were between six to eight site licences, and a similar number of collectors
licences issued.
Councillor Buston asked whether there were any items in the policy that Officers
would like to bring to Members attention that were of particular importance or
relevance, in odder that they may be prepared for any questions that might arise on
the document in the future. Jon Ruder said that there was nothing that he would
highlight in particular in the policy, and stated that the document has been drafted to
be as easy to read and user friendly as possible.
Councillor Harris commented that licences lasted for three years, and questioned
whether in the light of this the policy would also be reviewed every three years. Jon
Ruder confirmed that the policy would be reviewed every three years, and that in the
meantime premises were subject to inspections by licensing staff to ensure
compliance with their existing licences.
Councillor Moore enquired whether there was any evidence that the new legislation
had in fact reduced thefts and other criminal activity? Jon Ruder said that there was
evidence that across the country crimes associated with scrap metal dealing had
reduced, in no small part to the restrictions placed on the industry which removed the
capacity to trade in scrap metal for cash, and required an audit trail to be kept for all
items received and sold. Councillor Moore further enquired what was in place to stop
stolen metal being exported to the continent, and Jon Ruder explained that despite
laws and policies being in place, it was unlikely that this practice could be fully
combatted.
Councillor Tim Young referred to the point previously raised by Councillor Hogg, and
asked Jon Ruder to confirm whether there was any intelligence that linked specific
groups of people to scrap metal crimes. Jon Ruder responded by stating that he paid
no attention to whether or not a person he was investigating was a member of any
specific group, but instead focussed only on the task at hand. Jon stated that it was
irrelevant whether a person under investigation was the member of any particular
group of people, as everyone would be investigated in the same manner by him and
his team. Councillor Hogg confirmed that all he had been seeking was clarification
that the proposed policy would apply to everyone equally, and he was satisfied with
the response.
RESOLVED that the Scrap Metal Dealers Policy be approved and recommended to
Full Council for adoption as part of the Council’s statutory framework.