Issue - meetings
Animal Welfare Policy
Meeting: 01/07/2020 - Council (Item 9)
9 Reports - Cabinet - Report of the meeting held on 23 April 2020 (1-32-38) 
PDF 106 KB
To receive and consider the reports, minutes and recommendations of the recent meetings as follows:
(1) Cabinet
- 23 April 2020
- 7 May 2020
- 11 June 2020
2) Scrutiny Committee
- 18 May 2020
- 1 June 2020
- 22 June 2020 (to follow)
(3) Audit Committee
- 2 June 2020
- 23 June 2020 (to follow)
(4) Environment Policy Development Group
- 10 March 2020
(5) Homes Policy Development Group
- 17 March 2020
(6) Economy Policy Development Group
- 12 March 2020
- 4 June 2020
(7) Planning Committee
- 11 March 2020
- 20 May 2020
- 17 June 2020
(8) Standards Committee
- 10 June 2020
(9) Licensing Committee
- 19 June 2020
(10) Regulatory Committee
- 19 June 2020
Additional documents:
- Minutes , 07/05/2020 Cabinet, item 9
PDF 70 KB
- Minutes , 11/06/2020 Cabinet, item 9
PDF 73 KB
- Minutes , 18/05/2020 Scrutiny Committee, item 9
PDF 66 KB
- Minutes , 01/06/2020 Scrutiny Committee, item 9
PDF 81 KB
- Minutes , 02/06/2020 Audit Committee, item 9
PDF 83 KB
- Minutes , 10/03/2020 Environment Policy Development Group, item 9
PDF 98 KB
- Minutes , 17/03/2020 Homes Policy Development Group, item 9
PDF 75 KB
- Minutes , 12/03/2020 Economy Policy Development Group, item 9
PDF 86 KB
- Minutes , 04/06/2020 Economy Policy Development Group, item 9
PDF 86 KB
- Minutes , 11/03/2020 Planning Committee, item 9
PDF 130 KB
- Minutes , 20/05/2020 Planning Committee, item 9
PDF 81 KB
- Minutes , 17/06/2020 Planning Committee, item 9
PDF 136 KB
- Minutes , 10/06/2020 Standards Committee, item 9
PDF 72 KB
- Minutes , 19/06/2020 Licensing Committee, item 9
PDF 54 KB
- Minutes , 19/06/2020 Regulatory Committee, item 9
PDF 70 KB
- Animal Welfare Policy June 2020, 19/06/2020 Regulatory Committee, item 9
PDF 114 KB
- ANNEX 1 - Animal Welfare Licensing Policy (proposed) with tracked changes, 19/06/2020 Regulatory Committee, item 9
PDF 875 KB
- ANNEX 2 - Animal Welfare Policy consultation responses in table, 19/06/2020 Regulatory Committee, item 9
PDF 102 KB
- Additional information - Animal Licence application process, 19/06/2020 Regulatory Committee, item 9
PDF 35 KB
- Minutes , 22/06/2020 Scrutiny Committee, item 9
PDF 100 KB
- Minutes , 23/06/2020 Audit Committee, item 9
PDF 95 KB
Minutes:
The Leader presented the report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 23 April 2020.
Meeting: 19/06/2020 - Regulatory Committee (Item 8)
8 Animal Welfare Licensing Policy (08.02) PDF 114 KB
To receive the Animal Welfare Policy from the Group Manager for Public Health and Regulatory Services
Additional documents:
- ANNEX 1 - Animal Welfare Licensing Policy (proposed) with tracked changes, item 8
PDF 875 KB
- ANNEX 2 - Animal Welfare Policy consultation responses in table, item 8
PDF 102 KB
- Additional information - Animal Licence application process, item 8
PDF 35 KB
Minutes:
The Committee had before it a *report of the Specialist Lead Licensing Officer outlining a new Animal Welfare Policy.
He outlined the contents of the report and policy and explained that it covered boarding kennels and catteries, riding establishments pet shops and dog breeders. Currently there were varying degrees of standards across the country and that the new legislation had been brought in to address that. He explained that the legislation controlling zoo’s and dangerous animals had not changed.
He explained that was not a statutory obligation for Licensing authorities to have an Animal Welfare Policy but this was being introduced as a best practice guidance document for applicants.
He explained that the conditions for the establishments were now set nationally and that guidance had been provided by DEFRA. He informed members that the new legislation required the Licensing Authority to have qualified officers dealing with animal welfare by 2021 and that both the MDDC Licensing officers were currently undertaking the relevant qualification required.
The Policy had been though a consultation process and the RSPCA had commented on the complaints process which had been adjusted to take into account their views.
In response to a question asked the Specialist Lead Licensing Officer explained that the policy did not require for an independent veterinarian to complete inspections at riding establishments and that it was possible for an applicant to use their own veterinarian.
Consideration was given to:
· Recharge of veterinarian fees to applicants
· Partnership working with neighbouring authorities to secure additional specialist officer support if required for complex cases
· The scope of who was investigated during the application process
· Although Officers have a range of delegated powers, issues could still be brought to a hearing of a Sub Committee.
· The requirement of establishments to display their licence including their star rating
· The factors which contributed to an establishments star rating
It was therefore RECOMMENDED to Council:
That the Animal Welfare Policy be adopted subject to the amendment of clause 15.2 as follows:
For the activity of hiring out horses, there is a requirement for an annual inspection by a independent veterinarian, regardless of the total length of the license. The Council must appoint a listed veterinarian to inspect the premises on which the activity is being carried out before the end of the first year after the license is granted and then each subsequent year. It is this Council’s policy that the veterinarian must be independent and not one that is retained by the applicant/licence holder.
Proposed by the Chairman)
Note: * Report previously circulated and attached to the minutes