Agenda item

Report of Director of Markets & Consumer Protection

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection which sought approval of the increase to be applied to the Schedule of Charges in respect of services provided at the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre for the financial year 2018/19.

During discussion, Members queried the following:

·         The number of dogs quarantined due to the wait time required as part of the vaccination process.

·         Why a fees and charges report for the Cemetery and Crematorium was due to be considered in the non-public session, but the fees and charges for the Animal Reception Centre was being considered within the public session. 

·         Whether the proposed fee increase was ambitious enough and the fees could be increased in line with inflation.

·         What the direct debit uptake had been and whether there was value in maintaining this.

·         Whether there were plans to expand the service to other airports, particularly Gatwick and Stansted.

·         Whether further information could be provided on the potential competition for the Pet Travel Scheme.

In response to further queries, the Port Health and Public Protection Director advised as follows:

·         That the number of dogs quarantined for those reasons was negligible.

·         That the report was being considered within the public session as the fees for the Animal Reception Centre are contained within byelaws which would be brought before the March Court of Common Council for approval.

·         That the proposed fee increase was in line with previous years and that an increase of 2% had been recommended based ondiscussions with one of the larger companies which imports animals through the Animal Reception Centre.

·         That due to technical issues, the direct debit system had not yet been introduced and would be implemented in 2018.

·         Officers were looking at the feasibility of expanding the service to other airports, and were currently focussing on discussions with bigger airlines on handling their requirements; an update would be brought before the Committee.

·         That the Animal Health Service is looking at opportunities for growth in a range of areas, but border inspection post facilities and allied functions can be provided by private companies, and offices are mindful of this when considering potential competition.

A Member queried the level of debt and what action had been taken to resolve any outstanding finances. In response, the Chamberlain explained that a debt report would be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee and a copy of the most recent debt report was available upon request.

RESOLVED – That the Committee:

·         approve the charges included in the appendix to the report with effect from 1 April 2018, or as soon as practicable thereafter; and

·         approve the proposed Byelaws contained in the appendix to the report and recommend to the Court of Common Council that the Byelaws be made, and that the Comptroller and City Solicitor be instructed to seal the Byelaws accordingly.