Agenda and draft minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 19 April 2018 be confirmed.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Committee held on 22 March 2018 be confirmed.

Please note that, in accordance with the Members' Code of Conduct, when declaring interests members must disclose the existence and nature of the interest, and whether it is a disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI) or personal and/or pecuniary.

No declarations of interest were received.

The Public Protection, Anti-Social Behaviour (PPASB) and Licensing Service Manager:

a.    presented a report which outlined the requirements of the Animal Welfare (licensing of activities involving animals) (England) Regulations 2018 which came into force on 1 October 2018

b.    reported that the Regulations would be 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 LCC)

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

4. outlined that the Regulations introduced a star rating system to allow customers to see how businesses performed against the Regulation Standards, this star rating would have to be on display alongside the licence at the premises

5. stated that a scoring matrix would be in force to ensure consistency for scoring the star rating scheme, there was an internal appeal process for this process

6. reported that the inspections would be carried out by the Council’s Animals Warden and there would also be a vet check

7. reported that the fees and charges were to be locally set based upon full cost recovery, as set out in the regulations and the proposed fees and charges outlined in section 4.4 of the report as follows:

• The proposed fee for all licensable animal activities: 
• The fee of   proposed for all licences whether issued for 1, 2 or 3-year periods

(It was reported that this was due to the officer work remaining the same albeit over a variable period. This should also be viewed as an incentive for businesses to be compliant in order for them to be eligible for a longer licence term.)

8. advised that the proposed charges above, as detailed within the report would be amended to state that the performing animals licence should be £220 not £250 due to there being no risk score attached to that licence fee

9. advised in addition to the report that the members could decide to offer a reduction in fees for registered charity for catteries, kennels, and performing animals

10. reported that delegation of powers would be proposed as set out below:

• Granting of a licence – delegated to officers.
• Refusal of a licence – delegated to officers, appeal heard by full Licensing Committee. Appeal of council decision to be heard by a First Tier Tribunal.
• Suspension of a licence – delegated to officers to be authorised by Team Leader or above. (to be heard by full Licensing Committee within 28 days)
• The guidance issued by DEFRA ‘The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 Procedural guidance notes for local authorities’ Page 9, clearly set out the grounds for suspension of a licence and the mechanism for suspension dependent upon the offence as well as grounds for reinstatement.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.