Scrap metal licensing policy

We have actively considered the needs of blind and partially sighted people in accessing this document. We will make this document available in full on our website and you may download and translate it into other accessible formats. If you have other needs in this regard, please contact the licensing service on [email protected].

Buckinghamshire Council came into effect on 1 April 2020, bringing together the former Buckinghamshire County Council, and the four District Councils of Aylesbury Vale, Chiltern, South Bucks and Wycombe. The county has a population of over 550,000 residents and includes the towns of Buckingham, Winslow, Aylesbury, Wendover, Princess Risborough, Chesham, Amersham, High Wycombe, Beaconsfield and Gerrards Cross. The county has a significant amount of rural space with over a quarter of the county within the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Beauty and a further third is covered by the Metropolitan Green Belt.

A map showing the Council’s area can is attached as Appendix 2.

A search can be carried out to see if an address or particular scrap metal site falls within this area through the local authority finder: https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council

This policy has been written taking into consideration the following 4 key priorities identified in the Buckinghamshire Council Corporate Plan 2020 to 2025:

• strengthening our communities
• improving our environment
• protecting the vulnerable
• increasing prosperity

Licensing has a crucial role to play in achieving these goals, through the formulation of policy, decision-making, promotion of best practice and enforcement activities.

This is Buckinghamshire Council’s first published scrap metal licensing policy statement, “Policy”. The Policy replaces any scrap metal licensing policies adopted by the previous District Councils of Aylesbury Vale, Chiltern, South Bucks and Wycombe.

4

Whilst there is no legal requirement for the Council to have a Policy relating to scrap metal licensing, a policy benefits all interested parties, providing a clear and consistent framework for the Council’s approach to scrap metal licensing.

The Policy sets out how Buckinghamshire Council will work to ensure that there is a level playing field for scrap metal dealers operating in the Council area, ensuring that persons operating these types of businesses are compliant with legislation.

In preparing this new Policy, Buckinghamshire Council has taken into account the latest supplementary guidance produced by government, Local Government Association examples of best practice and information provided by organisations such as the British Metals Recycling Association.

The Council has consulted widely in the formulation of this Policy, including the following:

• Licensees holding a current Scrap Metal Site or Collectors licence
• Buckinghamshire Council’s Licensing Committee
• Environment Agency
• Waste and Street Scene Services
• Ward Councillors
• Town Councils and Parish Councils
• Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services
• Thames Valley Police
• Local residents and businesses
• Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards
• British Transport Police
• Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service
• Trade Associations such as British Metals Recycling Association, Vehicle Recyclers Association, British Vehicle Salvage Federation
• Other stakeholders such as National Infrastructure Crime Reduction Partnership

To ensure that the policy remains fit for purpose, it will be reviewed as legislative changes occur and updated accordingly, with a formal review being carried out at least every 5 years. We may make minor amendments to this policy, with the agreement of the Chairman of the Licensing Committee, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services and the Head of Service for licensing.

Appendix 1 contains a list of the legislation, regulations and guidance relevant to applicants, licence holders and officers working within scrap metal licensing.