Agenda and minutes

Cllrs S Davies and J G Ward.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 7 September 2018 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 September 2018 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To note any declarations of interest made by members in connection with an agenda item.  The nature of the interest must also be specified.

Members are asked to discuss any possible interests with Democratic Services prior to the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made by members in connection with an agenda item.

To note any issues raised during the public participation period.

No issues were raised during the public participation period.

To receive anupdate on changes to the licensing arrangements for animal based businesses and to consider updates to the delegation of powers to officers.

The Committee received an update on changes to the licensing arrangements for animal based businesses and considered changes to the delegation of powers to officers.

New regulations had come into force in October 2018 to protect the welfare of animals.  A series of Acts which had previously controlled the licensing of dog breeders, riding establishments, animal boarding establishments and pet shops had been repealed and replaced with a single piece of legislation, under The Animal Welfare Act 2006.  Standard conditions had also been introduced.  The new legislation did not include the licensing of dangerous wild animals and zoos which would continue to be enforced under the existing legislation.

The scheme of delegation to officers needed to be updated to reflect the new licensing requirements.  Fees and charges for the new licensing arrangements had had been agreed by the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regulatory Services.  The charges sought to recover the costs of the service and had been developed using advice from DEFRA as well as benchmarking against other local authorities.  The charges would be reviewed after one year.  It was agreed to circulate details of the fees and charges to the Committee and they are attached as Appendix 1 to these minutes. 

The Committee noted that inspections had to be carried out by a suitably qualified and experienced inspector.  In the case of horse riding establishments and dog breeders, the services of a veterinary surgeon would be used when required and checks would be made to ensure that the veterinary surgeon had no conflict of interest when visiting a business.

The Committee noted that the new regulations adopted a risk-based approach. A licence could be issued for one, two or three years based upon the star rating given following the licensing inspection.  One unannounced visit would be made during the term of the licence.

The star rating awarded would be based on the animal welfare standards of the business, as well as risk.  This approach was similar to the hygiene rating for food premises.  It was noted that hygiene ratings for food businesses could be checked via an online app.  Officers agreed to investigate whether a similar arrangement would be introduced for animal businesses.  It was agreed that officers would make available on the Council’s website the star ratings awarded to animal based businesses within the New Forest.

RESOVLED:

(a)       That the contents of the report be noted;

(b)       That officers be delegated the powers as set out in Section 7.1 of Appendix 1 of the report to the Committee;

(c)       That the current delegations to officers which refer to the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963, Breeding of Dogs Act 1973, Breeding of Dogs Act 1991, Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999, Pet Animals Act 1951 and the Roding Establishments Act 1964 and 1970, as set out in section 7.2 of Appendix 2 of the report, be deleted; and

(d)       That the star ratings awarded to animal based businesses in the New Forest District be published on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.