Issue - meetings

Report of Public Protection Manager

Purpose of report

To seek approval for the adoption of a joint Animal Licensing Policy and Animal Licensing Conditions for consultation. The policy will be applied by authorised officers when determining applications for all animal related licences.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

1.1   Subject to consultation, to adopt the proposed policy and conditions attached at Appendix A setting out the Council’s approach to determining all animal licensing applications and subsequently ensuring compliance with the relevant conditions.

1.2       To authorise the Director of Operational Delivery to set all animal licensing fees and to make any changes to the attached policy and conditions should they be required through either changes in legislation or changes in circumstances. 

1.3       To delegate authority to the Director of Operational Delivery to approve the final policy in consultation with the Lead  Member for Public Protection and Community Services following the consideration of any consultation responses.

Resolved

(1)          That, subject to consultation, the proposed Joint Animal Licensing Policy and conditions setting out the Council’s approach to determining all animal licensing applications and subsequently ensuring compliance with the relevant conditions be adopted.

(2)          That the Director of Operational Delivery be authorised to set all animal licensing fees and to make any changes to the Joint Animal Licensing Policy and conditions should they be required through either changes in legislation or changes in circumstances.

(3)          That authority be delegated to the Director of Operational Delivery, in consultation with the Lead Member for Public Protection and Community Services, to approve the final policy following the consideration of any consultation responses.

The Public Protection Manager submitted a report to seek approval for the adoption of a joint Animal Licensing Policy and Animal Licensing Conditions for consultation. The policy would be applied by authorised officers when determining applications for all animal related licences.

Resolved

(1)          That, subject to consultation, the proposed Joint Animal Licensing Policy and conditions setting out the Council’s approach to determining all animal licensing applications and subsequently ensuring compliance with the relevant conditions be adopted.

(2)          That the Director of Operational Delivery be authorised to set all animal licensing fees and to make any changes to the Joint Animal Licensing Policy and conditions should they be required through either changes in legislation or changes in circumstances.

(3)          That authority be delegated to the Director of Operational Delivery, in consultation with the Lead Member for Public Protection and Community Services, to approve the final policy following the consideration of any consultation responses.

Reasons

There is no statutory requirement for a local authority to have a formal animal licensing policy. However, it is considered best practice to adopt such a policy. This is for the benefit of business owners as well as reassuring the general public and other public bodies. It also ensures transparency and consistency when dealing with applications.

Alternative options

Option 1: Adopt the policy and attached conditions

Option 2: Reject the policy and attached conditions for amendment