Issue - meetings

To consider and approve the level of fees charged by BCP Council for the animal licensing fees chargeable for licensing functions.

The proposed 2026/27 fees and charges are set at a level to ensure that the Animal Licensing and Dog Control Service operates on a full cost-recovery basis.  A proposed increase in fees and charges will help to ensure full costs are recovered in the next financial year.  The percentage increase on animal activities licensing fees and charges is in line with the corporate inflation percentages recommended for this year.

This report also recommends that the authority to set and amend licensing fees in future be delegated to the Director of Housing and Public Protection, enabling more efficient and responsive fee setting in line with statutory requirements and the Council’s governance arrangements.

Louise Jones, Environmental Health Manager, presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Committee considered the level of fees charged by BCP Council for the animal licensing fees chargeable for licensing functions.

The proposed 2026/27 fees and charges had been set at a level to ensure that the Animal Licensing and Dog Control Service operated on a full cost-recovery basis.  A proposed increase in fees and charges would help to ensure full costs were recovered in the next financial year.  The percentage increase on animal activities licensing fees and charges was in line with the corporate inflation percentages recommended for this year.

The report also recommended that the authority to set and amend licensing fees in future, be delegated to the Director of Housing and Public Protection, enabling more efficient and responsive fee setting in line with statutory requirements and the Council’s governance arrangements.

In response to various questions raised, the Environmental Health Manager explained that the star rating was based on an inspection of businesses e.g. pet shops, catteries and animal boarding and that a 1, 2 or 3 star rating would be issued.

A committee member asked how enforcement took place when concerns were raised and gave the example of the welfare of the Southbourne Green Goats. The Environmental Health Manager explained that complaints of licensed businesses would be raised with Environmental Health and the service would investigate, working closely with the RSPCA. The welfare of the goats had been investigated and the owners licence had not been renewed.

RESOLVED that

a) Members agree the proposed fees as stated, and

b) Members to delegate authority to the Director of Housing and Public Protection to set and amend licensing fees going forward.

Voting: Unanimous