Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to a report of the Trading Standards and Licensing Manager which requested approval on an amendment to the Council’s animal

welfare licensing policy in relation to use of Council land.

The Committee was informed that the introduction of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018) brought about new legislation, guidance and a tougher and wider licensing regime for commercial businesses involved with animals in the course of their business. Since October 2018 around fifty licences had been in force within the Borough of Oldham covering regimes which included:

·         Sale of pets

·         Hiring our Horses

·         Commercial boarding of Dogs and Cats

·         Animal Exhibitions

·         Breeding of Dogs

·         Home boarding of dogs

Members were informed that regulations set out a system of regulation and enforcement which had been incorporated into local policy together with an inspection regime. Alongside that came a need to provide a range of business documents and practices. The policy also dealt with applications made under different legislation which covered:

·         Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976

·         Zoo Licensing Act 1981

Members were advised that upon reviewing current practices against the policy Officers wished to request that Members approved to insert a new Section 16 to the policy relating to the use of council land for licensable activities and for connection purposes which would read:

“The Council does not approve the use of its land for animal licensable activities as a general rule. Neither does it approve of any commercial activities on its land without express permission. This includes the sale or giving away of animals/pets/fish as prizes. Interested parties are asked to communicate with the animal welfare team to discuss any such requests. On land not owned by the Council the Council’s position is that it does not approve of land uses that it would not permit on its own land as outlined above.”

Members asked for and received clarification on the following:

·         How often were inspections done on the regimes covered by the policy. Members were informed that checks depended on the length of the licence given, whether it be a 1,2- or 3-year licence.

RESOLVED that:

1.    The report be noted.

2.    The policy be approved.