Issue - meetings

Purpose of Report

To inform the Executive of legislative changes to the licensing of animal activities and to seek approval for the implementation of the new Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018.

Decision

That the proposal contained within the report be supported and referred to the Council for approval.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None.

Reason for Decision

The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 would come into force on 1 October 2018 and act as the primary legislation for the licensing of the following animal activities:

• animal boarding (catteries and kennels);
• home boarding of dogs;
• dog day care;
• dog breeding;
• riding establishments;
• sales of animals (formerly pet shops);
• performing animals (formerly a registration administered by Lincolnshire County Council).

All animal activities would be subject to the same regime which would bring them all into alignment with conditions nationally set for each defined activity, as contained within the Regulations.

A star rating system allowed customers to see how businesses performed against the Regulation standards which, as a condition of the licence, would have to be on display alongside the licence at the premises. A scoring matrix would be in force to ensure consistency for the star rating system and there would be provision of an internal appeal process.

Inspections of premises would be carried out by the City Council’s Animals Warden and a vet check would also be conditional to the granting of a licence.

Fees and charges would be locally set based upon full cost recovery as set out in the Regulations. Proposed fees and charges for the City of Lincoln were set out in paragraph 4.4 of the report, subject to the performing animals licence being set at £220 rather than £250 due to their being no risk assessment necessary as part of the granting of that particular licence.

It was noted that the Council could opt to offer a reduction in fees for registered charities in respect of catteries, kennels and performing animals. This issue had been considered by the Council’s Licensing Committee which had recommended a 10% reduction in fees for such charities.

Details relating to the proposed delegation of authority to the Assistant Director for Communities and Environment, the Public Protection and Anti-Social Behaviour and Licensing Service Manager, Licensing Officers, the Animal Warden and the Licensing Committee were outlined in paragraphs 5.1 to 5.3 of the report.