Purpose

The Animal Welfare Licensing Policy sets out
how the Council carries out its functions under the Animal Welfare
(Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations
2018, the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 and the Dangerous Wild Animals Act
1976.

The policy was reviewed and revised as part of an audit of the
animal welfare service and includes clarification of the
arrangements to be taken to manage unannounced visits within the
term of a licence.

Decision

On 5 September 2025, Cllr Dan Poole, the
Portfolio Holder for Community, Safety and Wellbeing made the
following decision:

That the Animal Welfare Licensing Policy (attached at Appendix 1)
is approved and adopted by the Community, Safety and Wellbeing
Portfolio Holder.

Any member of the Council, who is not a Portfolio Holder, who
considers that this decision should be reviewed should give notice
using the call-in facility at the top of this page on the
Council’s intranet / extranet site. Alternatively, notice can
be given to the Monitoring Officer (Matt Wisdom) (in writing or by
e-mail) to be received ON OR BY 5.15 pm on 12 September 2025.

Details of the document the Portfolio Holder considered are
attached below.

Reasons for the decision

The Animal Welfare Licensing Policy sets out
the Council’s approach to the enforcement of animal welfare
licensing legislation and requires approval following amendments
made to the Policy

Alternative options considered

See report.