Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting on 8 March 2024 be approved.

There were none.

The purpose of the report was to ensure that the Council complied with its legal obligations as set out by the Gambling Act 2005 which required that the

Council must consult and publish a revised Statement of Principles every 3

years.

A consultation was scheduled to start in November 2024 for a period of 8 weeks, once the consultation was completed the revised Statement would be brought back with any comments to the Committee in early 2025, for members to recommend for Full Council approval. 

The proposed draft Statement of Principles 2025-2028 was attached at      Appendix 1 to the report. No substantive changes were proposed to the Statement at this stage, however, comments would be provided as part of the consultation exercise by statutory and other consultees which the Committee would consider at its next meeting.

Members discussed who the consultees were.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee agreed to the consultation period of 8 weeks commencing in November 2024 on the Draft Statement of Principles.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) was required to review the electoral boundaries of every council periodically. It had recently conducted a review of Staffordshire County Council. The County Council’s previous boundary review was completed in 2012.

The report explained the outcome of the recent review and made recommendations in respect of the proposed changes. The changes would come into force at the next scheduled County Council elections on 1May 2025.

Members discussed the use of schools and leisure centres as polling stations and the communication of any changes to residents.

Members were encouraged to advise the Electoral Team of any suitable polling station venues within their wards.

RESOLVED:

·         That the report be noted.

·         That the revised arrangements scheduled to take effect from 1 December 2024 be approved.

Members received a report which confirmed the consultation responses received to the Draft Street Trading Policy 2024-2027.

A consultation exercise regarding a revised Policy was carried out between 23rd April 2024 to 10th June 2024, including specific consultation with existing street traders as well as the public.

Members discussed air quality monitoring, timescales for implementation and MOT certification.

RESOLVED:

·         That the report be noted.

·         That the Committee accept the amendments proposed in the Draft Street Trading Policy appendix.

·         That the Committee RECOMMENDS approval of the amended Street Trading Policy 2024-2027 to Full Council.

Members received a report relating to the enforcement activity undertaken within the Licensing Section in the period since the last meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.

Members received a report which informed them of the draft policy that was proposed to be used as a consultation document on the introduction of an Animal Licensing Policy for the Council. This Policy would ensure that the Council carried out its animal licensing responsibilities in a fair, equitable and consistent manner.

The proposed draft Animal Licensing Policy had been prepared in pursuance of the Council’s obligations under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 introduced on 1 October 2018 and associated legislation. If approved, the Council would review the policy every 3 years or at any other times were considered necessary, to reflect any significant changes in legislation or guidance.

Members discussed puppy farms, awareness campaigns, dog licences and the trade in exotic pets.

RESOLVED:

·         That an 8 week consultation period on the proposed Animal Licensing Policy be approved.

·         That an awareness campaign be explored.