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Decision details
Animal Welfare Licensing Policy
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: Yes
Is subject to call in?: No
Purpose:
On 1 October 2018 The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 came into force. These regulations will replace a number of pieces of existing legislation set to be repealed at the end of 2018 and will provide a new single licensing regime for a number of animal licensing activities.
Decisions:
The Assistant Director Environment and Place submitted a report to consider the adoption of the council’s first Animal Welfare Licensing Policy relating to the administration and enforcement of the new animal welfare licensing regime, arising from the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018.
Bob Brown the licensing manager spoke on the report:
In October 2018 the new Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 came into force. These regulations replaced and revoked much of the old animal licensing legislation, bringing them within the remit of one set of regulations. However, it does not cover the licensing of dangerous wild animals or zoos, which remain under their existing legislation.
In addition, the regulations introduced new licensing categories such as doggy day care and the keeping or training of animals for exhibition, the latter was previously the responsibility of the County Council. A transitional period was introduced by the regulations; this lasted to 31st December 2018 to allow existing licence holders under the old legislation to register their applications under the new regulations.
Officers have used the transitional period to attend government briefings, inform existing licence holders of the changes and prepare all new forms, letters and licences ready for the implementation date. All existing licence holders and new applicants are currently undergoing comprehensive inspections.
The animal welfare licensing legislation does not require Licensing Authorities to have a specific policy, but it is considered best practice. It will ensure applicants for licences and members of the Environment and Safety Committee determining licence applications have a clear understanding of the council's policy regarding the new animal welfare licensing regime.
Councillor Rogers proposed approval of the recommendations of the Assistant Director’s report. This was seconded by Councillor Lee.
RESOLVED (unanimously) that:1. Cabinet endorses the draft Animal Welfare Licensing Policy attached at appendix A; and recommends that it is adopted by Full Council.
Reasons for the decision:
To ensure applicants for licences and members of the Environment and Safety Committee determining licence applications, have a clear understanding of the council's policy regarding the new animal licensing regime. It should also enable the authority to defend any legal challenges to committee decisions.Report author: Administrator
Publication date: 10/04/2019
Date of decision: 04/03/2019
Decided at meeting: 04/03/2019 - Cabinet
Accompanying Documents:
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