Agenda and minutes

Councillors and officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

Councillors and Officers were invited to declare any interests which they may have had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

To report any urgent action taken under the Constitution since the last meeting of the Committee.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration reported that the Corporate Director had not taken any urgent actions since the last meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED – To note that no urgent decisions had been taken.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair and members of the Committee on any matters within the powers and duties of the Committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice. (Questions must be submitted prior to the commencement of the meeting on the cards provided.  These are available at the meeting).

No public questions were submitted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.

The report advises Members of an application by Ruth Watson for a licence to board animals under the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963.

The Committee is requested to consider whether to issue an Animal Boarding Licence to Ruth Watson.  In reaching a decision, Members are asked to consider whether Ruth Watson is adequately able to promote the welfare of animals under her control.  Members should also have regard to whether Ruth Watson’s business is compliant with Stockport Council’s requirements and conditions for Animal Boarders.

Officer contact: Peter Cooke Tel 474 4851 Email: peter.cooke@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which requested that the Committee consider an application for an Animal Boarding Licence.

The applicant attended the meeting and answered Members’ questions in relation to the application.  Objectors to the granting of the application also attended the meeting and expressed their views as to why the application should be refused.

RESOLVED – (Councillor Mark Weldon against) that the application should be refused for the following reasons:

     I.        Members were concerned about the applicant’s lack of knowledge in connection with the licensing regime and specifically her lack of knowledge that she needed a licence in order to operate an Animal boarding Establishment.

    II.        There was concern in relation to the applicant’s knowledge regarding specialist breeds and their particular needs.

  III.        The poor exchange of information and supporting documentation whilst boarding animals prior to this application, led to confusion and ambiguity about the specialist needs of a particular dog in the applicant’s care.