Agenda item

Report of Chief Officer (Health and Housing)

The Committee received the report of the Chief Officer (Health and Housing) to review the costs and licensing fees for animal-related licensing and enable Members to approve the level of fee for 2018/19.  The setting of such fees was, by law, a non-executive function and a matter for the Committee.

It was reported that the Council’s Fees and Charges Policy stated that, when setting discretionary charges, the general aim was to cover the cost of the service and accurately reflect the full cost of provision, including recharges, and that the fees must be reasonable and proportionate.  The Council could not seek to make a profit.  The Policy required an annual review of fees to ensure that costs were appropriately recovered.

The Courts had recently concluded that the licence fee was essentially made up of two parts (A and B).  Part A was to cover the direct costs associated with processing the application and was payable in full on submission of the application and non-refundable.  Part B was to cover the costs associated with running the licensing function, and would only become payable if a licence was granted and before the licence became operational.

The methodology used to calculate the licensing fees for animal-related licensing, which included Commercial Animal Boarding Establishments, Home Boarding Establishments, Dangerous Wild Animals, Riding Establishments, Pet Vendors, Dog Breeding Establishments and Zoos was outlined to Members in detail, together with the various factors regarding each type of licence.

The Options and Options Analysis (including risk assessment) were set out in the report, as follows:

Option 1 – Fully recover all costs by charging the fees set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

Option 2 – Increase fees by 2.6% in line with inflation.

Option 3 – Propose an alternative fee structure.

There was no preferred option.

With regard to Recommendation (1) set out in the report, it was proposed by Councillor Joan Jackson and seconded by Councillor Hartley:

“That the licensing fees for animal-related licences in 2018/19 be increased by 5% in line with Council Tax increases.”

It was then proposed by Councillor Hamilton-Cox:

“That the licensing fees for animal-related licences in 2018/19 be increased by 2.6% in line with inflation.”

There being no seconder, the proposition fell.

Members then voted on the original motion, whereupon 6 Members voted in favour of the proposition and one against, following which the Chairman declared the proposal to be carried.

With regard to Recommendation (2) set out in the report, it was proposed by Councillor Hamilton-Cox and seconded by Councillor Metcalfe:

“That an Annual Part B licence fee be charged within the current licence period for Williamson Park Zoo (prospectively) from 2018/19 onwards.”

Upon being put to the vote, 6 Members voted in favour of the proposition, with 1 abstention, whereupon the Chairman declared the proposal to be carried.

Resolved:

(1)        That the licensing fees for animal-related licences in 2018/19 be increased by        5%, in line with Council Tax increases.

(2)        That an Annual Part B licence be charged within the current licence period for       Williamson Park Zoo (prospectively) from 2018/19 onwards.