Agenda and minutes

Election of Chairman for the municipal year 2020-2021.

Cllr J Cairney was elected as Chairman for the municipal year 2020-2021

(Nominated by Cllr LD Taylor and seconded by Cllr J M Downes)

Election of Vice Chairman for the municipal year 2020-2021.

Cllr D R Coren was elected Vice Chairman for the municipal year 2020-2021

(Nominated by Cllr S J Penny and seconded by Cllr Mrs F J Colthorpe)

To receive any apologies for absence and notices of appointment of Substitute Members (if any).

Apologies were received from Cllr Miss J Norton

Councillors are reminded of the requirement to declare any interest, including the type of interest, and reason for that interest, either at this stage of the meeting or as soon as they become aware of that interest.

There were no declarations made

To receive any questions relating to items on the Agenda from members of the public and replies thereto.

There were no members of the public present

Members to note the virtual meetings protocol

Members had before them, and NOTED, the remote meeting protocol

Note: *remote meetings protocol previously circulated and attached to the minutes

Members to consider whether to approve the minutes as a correct record of the meeting held on 4^th July 2019

The minutes of the meeting held on 4^th July 2020 were AGREED as a true record

To receive the Animal Welfare Policy from the Group Manager for Public Health and Regulatory Services

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:

Proposed by the Chairman)

Note: * Report previously circulated and attached to the minutes

The Specialist Lead Licensing Officer explained that the Regulatory Committee covered the area’s that the Licensing Committee did not and the main bulk of the work was Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing.

He explained that the Regulatory team had to amend their processes due to current restrictions and that they were now accepting documents by email rather than in person. He informed members that this did not include DBS certificates and that applicants still had to provide the original copies.

One of the effects of the current restrictions was that taxi drivers could not obtain a medical certificate to show fitness for work and the authority had allowed drivers to self certify themselves as fit to work.

He explained that unlike public transport there was no requirement for face masks to be worn in taxis but many of the companies had introduced their own safety measures.

He described a recent successful prosecution in which an unlicensed mini bus operator had been caught and pleased guilty.

He explained that a requirement of holding a MDDC taxi licence was for drivers to attend safeguarding training and that 5 drivers had failed to do so. Members were informed that the licenses of drivers failing to complete the training had been suspended. During the current crisis it had not been possible to hold classroom based safeguarding training sessions and this had been switched to on line certificates as a temporary measure. It was hoped to reintroduce face to face classroom based training as soon as practicable.