Agenda item

Report of the Cabinet Member Customer and Regulatory Services

The Cabinet Member for Customer and Regulatory Services introduced his report, updating an old policy adopted ahead of its time in the 1980s. He made the following points:

-       a number of issues have arisen since then – such as the ban on wild animals in circuses, pets as prizes, and hunting on council-owned land – but in addition this new charter takes account of the latest thinking about concepts such as sentience and animal rights, which requires that they are treated with humanity and care;

-       the charter covers a wide range of things relevant to council operations, and highlighted a slight glitch in the wording of Paragraph 2.13:

The authority will not support the killing of animals unless they present a risk to human health and safety.  Where there is a need for the authority to kill and control animals, it will seek to employ safe and humane methods where reasonably possible and practicable.

-       this should be read in the context of pest control, and understood to mean that the authority will not support the killing of animals in council operations such as pest control unless they present a risk to human health and safety. As an example, he said the killing of animals as required by law in the case of pest infestations would be supported, but not the killing of animals to protect a lawn damaged by wildlife;

-       some areas are outside our control, but as a responsible local authority, we should encourage good practice with residents (such as tethering of horses, and humanity towards animals), and also put on record the council motion requesting government reduce the decibel level for fireworks to relieve the distress and upset caused to pets and wildlife.

In conclusion, he said this is an important issue which says something about Cheltenham as a civilised society and town, making animal welfare a priority and putting on record our commitment to respect animal rights.

In response to questions, the Cabinet Member for Customer and Regulatory services confirmed that that:

-       Paragraph 2.11 of the report could be amended with the addition of a word to make proper sense:  The authority has given a commitment to do whatever it reasonably can to rehome stray dogs unless there is veterinary advice to the contrary;

-       whether or not the ban of hunting on council-owned land should extend to include other hunt-type activities such as trail hunts, exercising dogs and cubbing was an interesting point and may need further debate and clarification in a future iteration of the charter, but at the moment it should be taken that ‘hunting’ implies that a living animal is being hunted;

-       whilst acknowledging that seagulls continue to be a nuisance to many residents, Paragraph 21 of the charter reflects the law and what can be done to discourage seagulls. After many hours of debate in the past, the policy is more or less settled and considered to be reasonable and proportionate, reflecting the legal constraints we must work under;

-       he could not say whether pesticides and herbicides were likely to affect the chemicals used in the ‘War on Wee’.  He commended the Cabinet Member for Waste, Recycling and Street Services for his efforts to achieve effective weed control while continuing to encourage biodiversity, but said he would ask officers to consider the Member’s question and forward a response;

-       regarding measures that could be taken to stop people from feeding and encouraging animals, either deliberately or through laziness, he said Section 26 of the policy refers to litter and broadly covers the harm it can do to domestic and wild animals.  The council has recently increased fines for littering and anti-social behaviour.

In debate, Members made the following comments:

-       Cheltenham is an animal-friendly and animal-loving town, and it is good to note that the council is working on discouraging the use of pets as prizes on private land as well as council-owned land;

-       thanks to the Cabinet Member for Customer and Regulatory Services and officers for their hard work on getting all the details right in this all-encompassing charter.  It can presumably be reviewed in the future if necessary.

In summing up, the Cabinet Member for Customer and Regulatory Services welcomed the support of Members and confirmed that the charter would be subject to on-going review, refinement and improvement in the future.

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    the proposed Animal Welfare Charter for Cheltenham attached at Appendix 2 of the report is adopted.