Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Richard Austin BME and Councillor Helen Staples.

To receive declarations of interests in respect of any item on the agenda.

No declarations of interest were received.

To sign and confirm the minutes of the last meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 17^th December 2024 were approved and signed by the Chairman.

To answer any written questions received from members of the public no later than 5 p.m. two clear working days prior to the meeting – for this meeting the deadline is 5 p.m. on Thursday 6^th March 2025.

No questions were received.

(A report by Christian Allen, Assistant Director Regulatory)

The Senior Licensing Officer presented a report which provided information about the responses received following the consultation on the proposed Animal Welfare Licensing Policy.

The Regulatory & Appeals Committee convened on 17^th December 2024 to consider a draft Animal Welfare Licensing Policy which set out the principles which the Council would apply when accepting applications, inspecting premises, making decisions on applications, and exercising its’ statutory duty in the monitoring of licensed premises. The Committee determined to commence consultation and invite representation on the proposed policy, with any comments being referred to a future meeting of the Regulatory & Appeals Committee for consideration.

The consultation commenced 6^th January 2025 and ran for a period of six weeks with stakeholders and the general public invited to submit comments. At the close of the consultation period, three comments had been received. Copies of those comments were attached at Appendix 1 within the report. The final draft of the policy was attached at Appendix 2 within the report.

Members discussed the report and commented as follows:

·       On questioning the low-level response to the public consultation exercise, the Senior Licensing Officer advised that the consultation had been sent to all licence holders and had also been available on line for members of the public to comment.

·       Referencing the ongoing procedure to require DBS checks, a number of members agreed the continuation, voicing support of the need to protect the animals and ensure their safety.

·       The chairman sought a vote on the continuation of undertaking DBS checks on all applicants which was carried unanimously.

The recommendation was moved by Councillor David Scoot and seconded by Councillor James Cantwell 

RESOLVED:

That Full Council be recommended to approve the proposed Animal Welfare Licensing Policy, attached as Appendix 2 within the report, for adoption and publication.