Agenda and minutes

No declarations were made on this occasion.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 11^th December 2018.

The minutes of the meeting held on 11the December 2018 were confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

Members are requested to indicate whether they wish to discuss the exempt minutes listed at agenda item 9. If so, it will be necessary to resolve to exclude the Press and Public (agenda item 8) prior to any discussion of the exempt minutes listed at agenda item 9.

Should no Member wish to discuss the minutes, the Committee are invited to resolve to receive the exempt minutes without discussion.

No Members indicated that they wished to discuss the exempt minutes therefore it was not necessary to exclude the press and public.

RESOLVED that the exempt minutes of the Licensing Enforcement Sub-Committee held on 13^th December 2018 and 7^th March 2019 be received.

There were no questions from members of the public.

To receive any petitions and deputations provided that no such petition or deputation is in relation to:

·         Matters relating to individual Council Officers, or

·         Matters relating to current or pending legal proceedings

There were no petitions or deputations.

To consider the report of the Head of Place which presents to Members a proposed set of fees and charges to cover the cost of administering and enforcing the new Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018.

The Community Wellbeing Officer presented the report of the Head of Communities which presented to Members a proposed set of fees and charges to cover the cost of administering and enforcing the new Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018.

She drew Members’ attention to the background information contained within Section 3 of the report and advised Members that should they decide to leave the fees at the existing level the Community Wellbeing Team would not be able to recover the full cost of administering and enforcing the new Regulations.

Councillor Lugg asked if there were still seven pet shops in the City. She was advised that there was an additional one and several on-line enquiries had been received.

Councillor Tracey was advised that stray dogs and horse and carriages at carnivals were not within the scope of this legislation. She was also advised that horses and donkeys at fêtes would require a licence if they were being ridden.

The Community Wellbeing Officer advised that she would be undertaking inspections under the Regulations which would initially be pre-booked and she would be making unannounced visits in due course. She confirmed that records would be kept of such visits.

Councillor Brown was advised that zoos and dangerous wild animals were covered by other legislation.

Councillor Lugg was advised that agility dogs would be licensable if they were exhibited by a commercial organisation.

The Community Wellbeing Team Leader referred Members to Appendix 3 and noted that the proposed fees and charges were based on the recovery of costs incurred in administering and enforcing the legislation. She noted that the fees and charges had been calculated using figures provided by the Finance Team.

Councillor Brown was advised that dog walking was classed as dog day care unless they were collected and returned to the owner.

Councillor Tracey was advised that dog grooming parlours and the welfare of dogs belonging to rough sleepers were not within the scope of this legislation.

The Chair thanked Officers for the report and noted that the proposed fees and charges compared well with the other Authorities shown at Appendix 4.

He moved, and Councillor Brown seconded, the recommendation at Section 2 of the report.

RESOLVED that the proposed set of fees and charges for the period 1^st April 2019 to 31^st March 2020, as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report, be approved.

Tuesday, 11^th June 2019X at 6.00 p.m.

Tuesday, 19^th March 2019 at 6.00pm.