Agenda and draft minutes

Moved by Councillor Jeanne Raspin and seconded by Councillor David Bennett

RESOLVED that Councillor Mary Dooley be elected as Chair for the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Amanda Davis and Emma Stevenson.

To note any urgent items of business which the Chairman has consented to being considered under the provisions of Section 100(B) 4(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There were no urgent items of business to be considered.

Members should declare the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and Non Statutory Interest as defined by the Members’ Code of Conduct in respect of:

a)  any business on the agenda;

b)  any urgent additional items to be considered;

c)  any matters arising out of those items;

and if appropriate, withdraw from the meeting at the relevant time.

There were no declarations of interest made.

To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 13^th February 2025.

Moved by Councillor Rita Turner and seconded by Councillor Jeanne Raspin

RESOLVED that the minutes of a meeting of the General Licensing Committee held on 13^th February 2025 be approved as a true and correct record.

To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 13^th March 2025.

Moved by Councillor David Bennett and seconded by Councillor Jeanne Raspin

RESOLVED that the minutes of a meeting of the General Licensing Committee held on 13^th March 2025 be approved as a true and correct record.

The Environmental Health Team Manager presented the report to the Committee.

The Animal Welfare Act 2006 had created an overarching welfare obligation on those who were responsible for animals.  The 5 ‘needs’ of animals identified were:

·       The need for a suitable environment;

·       The need for a suitable diet;

·       The need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns;

·       Any need to be housed with, or apart from, other animals; and,

·       The need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury, and disease.

The Council was responsible for the licensing and regulation of animal related activities (and safeguarding animal welfare) within the District under 4 separate pieces of legislation:

·       Animal Activity Licences issued under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities involving Animals) Regulations 2018;

·       Primate Licences issued under the Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024;

·       Dangerous Wild Animal Licences issued under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976; and,

·       Zoo Licences issued under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981.

Following the introduction of the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, the Council had adopted its current Animal Welfare Licensing Policy (the ‘Policy’), which was adopted 16^th September 2019 – the Policy had remained unchanged since adoption and was attached at Appendix 1.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, the Committee was responsible for all licensing matters not covered by the Licensing Act 2003 or the Gambling Act 2005, while the responsibility for the final determination of policies was reserved for the Council.

The Joint Environmental Health Service had undertaken an extensive review of the Policy, resulting in a complete and substantive rewrite – the draft revised Policy was attached at Appendix 2.  The draft proposals sought to:

·       Modify the format of the Policy to ensure it is comprehensive and cohesive;

·       Ensure the Policy is consistent with legislation and statutory guidance;

·       Ensure the Council’s processes are transparent;

·       Ensure the Council promotes the highest animal welfare standards; and,

·       Ensure the Policy adequately safeguards the public.

An equality impact assessment had additionally been carried out – a draft copy was attached at Appendix 3.

Table 1 and Graph 1of the report showed how animal activity had changed across the District since the introduction of the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 and the Council’s current Policy – the number of animal licences had almost doubled since 2021, while service requests relating to animal welfare had increased between 2023 and 2025 before reducing to earlier levels.

The increase in animal licences and complaints was likely a consequence of greater awareness of the animal licensing regime amongst operators and the public.  Recurring themes included:

·       Requests for advice to start or expand a business;

·       Requests for advice on what activities required a licence;

·       Requests to verify information on current licences / licensing registers;

·       Reports of unlicensed activity;

·       Concerns about animal welfare; and,

·       Nuisance linked to animal activities.

Overall the Council had seen growth in animal activity and further growth was expected.  Data suggested the Council could benefit from enhancing  ...  view the full minutes text for item GLC7-25/26