Decision Maker: Head of Community Services

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: July 27, 2023

Purpose: The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 ANIMAL ACTIVITY LICENCE – ARRANGERS FEE SIGNIFICANT OPERATIONAL DECISION . The Significant Operational Decision relates to Animal Activity Licensing and the additional activity of Franchise Operators/Arrangers for Home Boarding. This is a relatively new addition to the licensing and regulatory functions under Animal Activity Licensing. In common with all cat and dog boarding settings in a private residence, the Council as Licensing Authority visit, assess and score settings according to Animal Activity Licensing but in order to cover the additional regulatory requirements, the Council needs to address the issue of arrangers/franchise operations. These businesses will have their documentation assessed in principle as a business/franchise through whom host families are identified, operate under the principles of the said Arranger/Franchise Operation and where dogs are then boarded. The current Part A fee for a licence is £189.90 and this is the fee that is charged for Arrangers Licences as we need to recover the costs of administering the process. This includes meeting the applicants, assessing policies, procedures and an application as well as producing a licence fee and rating. Arrangers/Franchise holders will be scored according to their lowest rated host setting. An Arranger/Franchise will then provide the operating principles, policies and other key guidelines along which the host family will operate as the premises providing dog boarding settings on their behalf. Arrangers Licences vary in duration depending on the Risk Rating and Star awarded. This can vary from 1 - 3 years, with 1 being low star rating and 5 star being the highest award. The Council will continue to secure the separate fee (Part A - Application and Part B – Grant) for these dog boarding settings and hosts. In common with other Sussex Authorities, Crawley will still require an application, inspection, assessment and star rating of host families to make sure animal welfare needs are met. In addition, any changes to the Arrangers Licence, such as the addition of a host family or removal of the same/change of details will also need a fee as this does require administrative work and the production of new licence and associated documentation as £25. These charges are mid-range when compared with other Local Authorities generally. Fees Proposed: Arrangers Licence (New) £189.90 Arrangers Licence (Renewal) £110 Change Of Details/Inclusion of Host £25

Content: To approve the fees as set out.