Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Bithell introduced the report and explained that the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Wales) Regulations 2021 required, subject to qualifying criteria, any person wishing to sell animals in the course of a business to obtain a licence from their local authority under those regulations.

            The main changes introduced by the regulations were:

·         To require the licensing of operators which sold animals as pets in the course of a business including keeping animals in the course of a business with a view to their being sold or resold

·         To introduce stricter welfare standards for those that sold animals as pets

·         To introduce mandatory licensing conditions for those licensed to sell animals as pets

·         Introducing a ban on the commercial third party sale of puppies and kittens

In order to deal efficiently with applications and animal welfare issues, it was proposed that the powers within the legislation be delegated to the Team Manager – Licensing & Pest Control and the Service Manager for Community and Business Protection.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That delegated powers be given to the Team Manager – Licensing & Pest Control and the Service Manager for Community and Business Protection for the following powers contained in the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Wales) Regulations:

·         Power to grant a licence

·         Power to refuse a licence

·         Power to renew a licence

·         Power to vary a licence

·         Power to vary a licence with immediate effect

·         Power to impose conditions

·         Power to suspend a licence

·         Power to suspend a licence with immediate effect

·         Power to reinstate a suspended licence

·         Power to revoke a licence

·         Power to appoint inspectors

(b)       That the Flintshire County Councils Constitution be amended to reflect the change; and

(c)        That any changes to the delegation of powers in respect of those regulations are delegated to the Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy) in discussion with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Public Protection.