Issue - meetings

(i)              That the draft Animal Welfare Charter, be received and the comments from the Health Wellbeing and Environment Scrutiny Committee, be noted.

(ii)             That the draft Animal Welfare Charter be forwarded to Full Council, for approval and adoption, subject to any proposed further amendments.

(iii)           That officers be authorised to canvas other local authorities to establish the appetite for collectively writing to the UK Government urging a ban on the giving of live animals as prizes on public and private land.

The Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Environment introduced a report presenting a draft Animal Welfare Charter for Newcastle-under-Lyme.

The Charter put into writing actions that the Council was already undertaking.  It would be ongoing and therefore change as time went on.  It had been to the Health, Wellbeing and Environment Scrutiny Committee on 16 September with positive comments.  It would be taken to Full Council for formal approval on 20 November.

Councillor Richard Gorton asked if the Charter would be used to reinforce the message to allotment holders that the use of pesticides had dire consequences for wildlife.  Also, what plans had been put in place to promote awareness of the Charter which would be of interest to a range of groups.  Finally, Councillor Gorton asked if any thought had been given to doing a version for schools.

The Portfolio Holder had previously checked with the Service Director for Sustainable Environment regarding pesticides on Borough Council land and they would no longer be used.  Allotments, however, had not been considered but would be discussed with the Service Director for Neighbourhood Delivery and would inform Councillor Gorton, in writing, of the outcome. A press release would be going out on the Charter, following this meeting and the Charter would be on the Council’s website.  The Portfolio Holder would enquire as to other means of promoting the Charter.

The idea of doing a Charter for schools was an excellent idea and the Portfolio Holder was sure that the Sustainable Environment Team would also welcome the idea and would report back when that had been done.

The Leader, referring to the use of pesticides, stated that the Council had passed the Nature Recovery motion a couple of years ago which included that the Council would phase out the use of pesticides from its own operations.  Publicity for the Charter could be achieved through the Council’s many channels of communication.  In addition, a Civic Pride initiative was soon to be launched and the Charter could be included in that also. 

Resolved:    (i)       That the draft Animal Welfare Charter, be received

and the comments from the Health Wellbeing and Environment Scrutiny Committee, be noted.

(ii)             That the draft Animal Welfare Charter be forwarded to Full Council, for approval and adoption, subject to any proposed further amendments.

(iii)           That officers be authorised to canvas other local authorities to establish the appetite for collectively writing to the UK Government urging a ban on the giving of live animals as prizes on public and private land.

Watch the debate here