Agenda item

Francesca Bell, PPASB & Licensing Manager:

a.    presented the revised Animal Policy for consideration prior to referral to Executive

b.    gave an overview of the council’s roles and functions that related either directly or indirectly to animals

c.    explained that the policy had undergone a major review in 2017 which had brought together a number of Council functions into one collective policy

d.    referred to the revised policy at appendix 1 of the report and highlighted the following changes:

                      i.        The policy had been updated to reflect the changes in the Councils Strategic Priorities

                    ii.        Section 12 which detailed the licensing regime for animal activities had been updated to reflect the change in legislation which occurred in October 2018. The policy previously referred only to pet shops.

                   iii.        Included minimal amendments in relation to changes in Data Protection legislation

e.    explained that the use of glue/sticky traps was currently under review, although the practice was still legal at the moment, this was likely to change, this would be reflected in the policy if/when the law changed. Currently the policy stated that the Council were opposed to the use of this method.

f.     invited members questions and comments:

Question: Referred to paragraph 10.1 of the report in relation to horses on the common and asked if concerns on how the public treated horses as well as the owners would be investigated.

Response: The Council worked closely with the Commons Horse Association and any concerns regarding the treatment of horses would be investigated. Individual evidence would be required for any enforcement action to take place.

Question: Asked if it would be better to include the banning of sticky traps in the policy now rather than waiting for legislation.

Response: There had been no reports that the use of sticky traps was taking place in the city. Although the Council was opposed to the use of sticky traps there was currently no enforcement action that could take place to prohibit the use of them.

Question: Asked why the policy had been updated now and when the next update would take place.

Response: The policy was on a 4 year cycle of being updated, if any major changes occurred, the policy would be updated as and when required.

Question: Referred to paragraph 4.1 of the policy and suggested that the word ‘unnecessary’ be removed.

Response: Agreed that the word “unnecessary” be removed and the policy would read “Reduce suffering to animals”

Question: Referred to paragraph 7.4.1 of the Policy and asked if the full title of the legislation should be included rather than “Lucy’s Law”

Response: Suggested that a hyper-link could be included in the Policy for the website which would link to the legislation.

Question: Referred to paragraphs 7.8.1 and 7.8.3 of the policy which made reference to contacting the Council and asked if the contact details could be included in the Policy.

Response: Suggested that a hyper link be included to link to the contact form.

Question: Commented that not everyone was digitally engaged and asked if contact details could be included in the policy.

Response: Suggested that contact details could be added to the end of the policy.

Question: Referred to paragraph 7.8.7 of the policy in relation to snares and traps which stated that “The exception is for cases of pest control” and asked what was considered a pest.

Response: Insects or rodents were considered pests, this would be clarified in the policy.

Question: Asked if trophy hunting could be included in the Policy.
Response: A position statement about the Council being opposed to trophy hunting could be included in the policy.

The Chair further suggested a clause be included in the policy to state that should there be any changes in legislation then the policy would be updated.

Francesca Bell, PPASB & Licensing Manager confirmed that the policy would be updated to reflect the changes that had been suggested during the discussion of the item.

RESOLVED that the amended Animal Policy be circulated to members of the Policy Scrutiny Committee prior to referral to Executive.