Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Environmental and Community Health Services regarding the introduction of new animal welfare powers under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the implications for the District Council.

Agreed to adopt the powers set out in the Animal Welfare Act 2006;

gave delegated authority to the Director of Operational Services and the Head of Environmental and Community Health Services to appoint officers as inspectors under Section 51 of the Act;

delegated authority to appointed officers to exercise all of the powers set out in the Act in the course of their duties; and

gave delegated authority to the Head of Environmental and Community Health Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Housing and Health, to initiate legal proceedings under the Act.

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Environmental and Community Health Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Cabinet were acquainted with the provisions of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the implications for the District Council.

Whilst the Act extended the powers of the Council to deal with animal welfare issues, Members expressed concern that no direct additional funding was likely to be made available by the Government to assist in its implementation.  Whereupon, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the powers set out in the Animal Welfare Act 2006 be adopted;

  (b)  that authority be delegated to the Director of Operational Services and the Head of Environmental and Community Health Services to appoint officers as inspectors under Section 51 of the Act;

  (c)  that authority be delegated to appointed officers to exercise all of the powers set out in the Act in the course of their duties; and

  (d)  that authority be delegated to the Head of Environmental and Community Health Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Housing and Health, to initiate legal proceedings under the Act.