Agenda item

This report informs Members of the introduction of the Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024 and the enforcement provisions which commenced on 1^st April 2026.

Approval is sought for the implementation of a licensing regime for the keeping of primates within Three Rivers and a schedule of fees to enable the Council to recover the reasonable costs associated with administering the regime.

Recommendation:

That the Committee:

1.     notes the introduction of the Regulations and the Council’s duties as the licensing authority;

2.     approves the adoption of a primate licensing scheme in accordance with the Regulations; and

3.     approves the proposed fee structure set out in 3.7 of the report, which will then form part of the annual fees and charges process.

The Associate Director for Environment presented the report.

The Committee heard that a recent change in animal licensing legislation had introduced a mandatory licensing regime for the keeping of primates in England.  Keepers of primates, including very small primates such as marmosets, were now required to obtain a licence, unless exempt.

The Regulations and associated guidance set out an application, renewal and compliance process to ensure that primates were kept to zoo-level welfare standards, reflecting their complex needs.  This included a requirement for periodic inspection by a suitably qualified and competent person.

Fees had been set on a cost recovery basis; any veterinary fees incurred would be charged in addition to the fee set by the Council.  Due to the timing of the legislation the proposed fee structure for the provision of a licence was set out in the report. In future years this would form part of the annual fees and charges process and would include a new fee for renewal of a licence.

The Associate Director for Environment reported that the main cost to the Council related to the officer time required for inspections.  In response to a question as to how the fee level had been calculated and whether the scheme would really be self-funding, the Associate Director for Environment responded that the proposed fee had been benchmarked against those proposed by other Councils.  Advice had also been sought from the City of London licensing team, which was recognised nationally as an authority with expertise in animal licensing, about what inspections would involve and how long they were likely to take.  In setting the fee, consideration had been given not only to the cost of the time required for the Council’s Animal Welfare Licensing Officer to conduct inspections, but also the administrative costs of issuing licences, sending renewal reminders and liaising with veterinary surgeries, etc.  However, the actual costs associated with operating the scheme, as well as the number of licences likely to be required each year, would not be fully known until it had been operational for a period of time, and this would be considered when the fees were re-assessed as part of the annual fees and charges process.

Councillor Rainbow moved, and Councillor Lloyd seconded, the recommendations as set out in the report.  On being put to the vote these were agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED:

That the General Public Services and Community Engagement Committee:

1)       notes the introduction of the Regulations and the Council’s duties as the licensing authority;

2)       approves the adoption of a primate licensing scheme in accordance with the Regulations; and

3)       approves the following fee structure, which will then form part of the annual fees and charges process:

*Noting that any vet fees will be charged, at cost, as well as the fee set by the Council.