Agenda item

Members will be asked to consider the information provided to them at the previous meeting on this topic and agree a remit for the review. Supporting documentation will be provided at the meeting. [briefing note attached]

A briefing note was tabled which provided an overview of the work of the Animal Health Team and issues in respect of dealing with tethered horses. [A copy of the briefing note is attached to the on-line agenda papers for this meeting].

Discussion took place around the following issues:

(i)           Stray Dogs

In response to questions raised by Members, officers clarified that during the week officers would go out and collect a stray dog once this was reported.  There was, however, no out of hours collection service during the evening or at weekends, although stray dogs could be taken to the kennels.  Details were given of the collection fees, which included a statutory fee of £25 in addition to a £25 admin fee.   The kennel costs were around £9 per day.  Officers also explained about the efforts that were made to re-house stray dogs when they were not collected, usually through the RSPCA or the Dogs Trust. 

(ii)          Staffing

Details were given of proposed changes to staffing.  Currently there were four full-time equivalent posts and most of these officers covered the dog warden and the animal health service.  It was proposed that two officers would be part of the street environment team and be the designated dog warden service.  One officer would be part of the trading standards team and be responsible for issues in respect of animal health.   The reduction in staffing for this function reflected the fact that there had been an increase in self-regulation in this area.

(iii)        Horses on City of York Council Land – New Project

An update was given on a new project, headed by the Assistant Director of Housing and Community Safety, which sought to find a long term solution to the problem of horses on CYC land.   Members were informed that there were between 150 and 200 tethered horses within the city.  There had not previously been a co-ordinated approach to this issue.  The new project had three main strands:

·        Obtaining land where horses could be kept as an alternative to the roadside/private land.   This may be council owned land but officers were also in discussion with the National Farmers Union to identify land that could be considered.  The legal implications of putting such an arrangement in place were also being considered.  The likelihood was that there would be a charge made for using the land.

·        Where it was possible to identify the owner of a horse that was tethered on the roadside, owners would be encouraged to move their horses to the site.

·        If the horse was not moved, enforcement action might be taken depending on the circumstances.  Possible options would include, engaging with the RSPCA or appointing a contractor to act on the council’s behalf.

Officers stated that they were mindful that horse ownership was part of traveller culture and the horses were generally well cared for.  The council had, however, had some success in working with travellers and encouraging them to reduce the number of horses that they owned. Members stated that they would welcome evidence as to how this was being achieved and statistics on the number and type of incidents that were being reported.

Members were informed that it was important that an appropriate enforcement policy was agreed and put in place.  It was, however, noted that there were resource implications when enforcement action was taken.

Clarification was sought as to whether the council was making full use of the legislation that was available to support enforcement.  Officers explained the procedures involved.  In response to questions from Members, officers confirmed that they concentrated resources on the areas of the city where the horses were causing most concern. 

Members stated that they would welcome the opportunity to comment on the new policy prior to it being considered by the Cabinet Member.

RESOLVED:       That, at the next meeting, consideration be given to the draft policy on Horses on City of York Council Land and statistics on the number and type of incidents that were being reported.

REASON:            To enable the committee to decide whether they would wish to carry out a scrutiny review on this topic.