Issue - meetings

This report aims to raise awareness of the problems associated with horses being deliberately tethered on land without the landowner’s permission and to propose the development of a joint protocol which sets out how these issues can be managed by the Council and partner organisations within the legal framework and resources available.

RESOLVED:       That Cabinet agree to:

i)             The proposals set out at Para 21 of the report and agree that a joint protocol be established and brought back to the Cabinet Member for approval in February 2013.

ii)            Consider the costs associated with the proposal as part of the 2013/14 budget setting process.

REASON:            To ensure that the council has a robust, yet balanced approach to dealing with tethered horses.

Consideration was given to a report which raised awareness of the problems associated with horses being deliberately tethered on land without the landowner’s permission, often on council land and in particular public highways. It was proposed to develop a joint protocol which would set out how these issues could be managed by the Council and partner organisations within the legal framework and resources available.

Legal powers available to deal with horse related issues were reported together with a number of suggested interventions were discussed in detail in paragraphs 7 to 19 of the report. The financial and equalities implications arising from the proposals were also reported.

The following were proposed as options:

Option 1 – To agree the proposals set out in the paper:

·        That the Council develop a joint protocol with the Police, RSPCA and landowners and travellers setting out responsibilities of all parties and detailing a course of action to be taken in the following circumstances:

o   Where a horse is tethered on a highway verge;

o   Where a horse is grazing illegally on CYC land;

o   Where a horse is grazing illegally on private land;

o   Where a horse is found loose on a public highway.

·        The Council consider its land assets to identify areas of land that it feels would be suitable for letting as grazing land. 

·        The Council works with private land owners and the NFU the potential for land owners to provide land for grazing.

·        The Councils Animal Health Service work with the RSPCA and horse welfare charities to develop micro chipping and re-homing service.

·        The Council review its licence and tenancy agreements and insert a clause that prevents the tethering of horses on council land unless there is an agreement in place as part of the provision of land for grazing.

·        The Council enter into a procurement process to appoint a contractor to manage the seizure and, where necessary, the sale of any horses.

Option 2 – To agree some but not all of the proposals set out in option 1.

Option 3 - To not agree the proposals and retain the status quo.

The Cabinet Member referred to the high level of correspondence received in connection with this issue and to anecdotal evidence which appeared to support that there had been an increase in the number of horses tethered on the highway. He confirmed the need for a balanced approach to enforcement whilst considering animal welfare and the safety of road users.

RESOLVED:       That Cabinet agree to:

i)             The proposals set out at paragraph 21 of the report and agree that a joint protocol be established and brought back to the Cabinet Member for approval in February 2013.

ii)      Consider the costs associated with the proposal as part of the 2013/14 budget setting process. ^1.

REASON:            To ensure that the Council has a robust, yet balanced approach to dealing with tethered horses.