Draft minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 October 2008 were agreed.

Apologies for absence received from Councillor Davies

1. Apologies for absence received from Councillor Davies

None submitted

None notified

None Notified

None notified

The RSPCA is confident that the Community Animal Welfare Footprints and innovator   Awards will become established as to recognise and celebrate those that have made an        extra effort and gone beyond their basic service requirements to ensure higher welfare    standards in some of the services they provide.

            There are four categories of footprint that the council can apply for, with each reflecting            a different aspect of the council’s service provision.

            The Panel agreed the following terms of reference for the review.

            To carry out a complete review of the Council’s policy and delivery of animal welfare and     controlled legislation.  The Review should focus on the four elements outlined in the        Community Animal Welfare Footprints [CAWF] as follows:

[1]       Stray Dogs Footprints:

            Covers policies that ensure stray dog welfare during the collection and            kennelling processes, proactive work to educate owners, and preventative           measures to reduce straying and long-term strays.

[2]       Housing Footprints

            Includes the provision of a positive and clear policy on pet ownership and       proactive work to educate the public about animal welfare related issues.

[3]       Contingency Planning Footprint

            Covers policies, procedures and exercises within contingency plans that deal with             companion animals, both domestic and    commercially owned, as well as advice     for preparedness.

[4]       Animal Welfare Principles Footprint:

            This is concerned with policies that improve and promote animal welfare through a   clear animal welfare charter and the use of tools, i.e. the council website to promote issues and educate.

            Areas for consideration:

• Parks police - Parks Constabulary could have a greater role to play within Animal Welfare specifically on the parks in the borough

• Shared services with other authorities – this is an area which the panel could explore particularly around kennelling; shared costs and best practice.

·        Major issues around domestic violence and the issue of animal care. “It has been proven that animal cruelty is often coupled with child cruelty and domestic violence.” Cowardly acts of aggression against vulnerable members of the family are matters of power and control. Acts of aggression against any member of the family endanger all in the household and put others in the community at risk as well. The evolution of animal welfare as a human welfare concern, the abuse of animals and human interpersonal violence, and the prevention of animal abuse and family violence.

• Responsibilities of the Registered Social Landlords
• Animals on allotments.

The following are groups/organisations which could be invited to Invite to scrutiny

• Safer Neighbourhood officers
• RSPCA
• Wood Green Animal Centre/ Pet shop owners
• Friends of Parks
• Health Service – to consider animals and Human Welfare
• Vets – east and west of borough

All the above areas are covered under the Community Animal Welfare Footprints outlined above.

There were no items of urgent business

            The RSPCA is confident that the Community Animal Welfare Footprints and innovator   Awards will become established as to recognise and celebrate those that have made an             extra effort and gone beyond their basic service requirements to ensure higher welfare      standards in some of the services they provide.

            There are four categories of footprint that the council can apply for, with each reflecting            a different aspect of the council’s service provision.

            The Panel agreed the following terms of reference for the review.

            To carry out a complete review of the Council’s policy and delivery of animal welfare and     controlled legislation.  The Review should focus on the four elements outlined in the        Community Animal Welfare Footprints [CAWF] as follows:

[1]       Stray Dogs Footprints:

            Covers policies that ensure stray dog welfare during the collection and            kennelling processes, proactive work to educate owners, and preventative           measures to reduce straying and long-term strays.

[2]       Housing Footprints

            Includes the provision of a positive and clear policy on pet ownership and       proactive work to educate the public about animal welfare related issues.

[3]       Contingency Planning Footprint

            Covers policies, procedures and exercises within contingency plans that deal with             companion animals, both domestic and    commercially owned, as well as advice     for preparedness.

[4]       Animal Welfare Principles Footprint:

            This is concerned with policies that improve and promote animal welfare through a   clear animal welfare charter and the use of tools, i.e. the council website to promote issues and educate.

            Areas for consideration:

• Parks police - Parks Constabulary could have a greater role to play within Animal Welfare specifically on the parks in the borough

• Shared services with other authorities – this is an area which the panel could explore particularly around kennelling; shared costs and best practice.

·        Major issues around domestic violence and the issue of animal care. “It has been proven that animal cruelty is often coupled with child cruelty and domestic violence.” Cowardly acts of aggression against vulnerable members of the family are matters of power and control. Acts of aggression against any member of the family endanger all in the household and put others in the community at risk as well. The evolution of animal welfare as a human welfare concern, the abuse of animals and human interpersonal violence, and the prevention of animal abuse and family violence.

• Responsibilities of the Registered Social Landlords
• Animals on allotments.

The following are groups/organisations which could be invited to Invite to scrutiny

• Safer Neighbourhood officers
• RSPCA
• Wood Green Animal Centre/ Pet shop owners
• Friends of Parks
• Health Service – to consider animals and Human Welfare
• Vets – east and west of borough

All the above areas are covered under the Community Animal Welfare Footprints outlined above.

There were no items of urgent business.

Councillor

Ray Dodds

Charir