North Devon Council is inviting residents to have their say on a proposal to introduce an animal licensing policy.

Opinions on the draft policy are welcomed from existing licence holders, the general public, and anybody with an interest in animal licensing. The public consultation will take place from today, Monday 20 June, until Monday 15 August 2022.

The aim of the draft policy in the consultation is to help ensure the public, councillors and those engaged in animal licensing activities understand what the law requires and how the council will approach its animal licensing and enforcement duties.

The draft policy sets out the general principles that the council will follow in relation to the enforcement of animal welfare legislation (including zoos and dangerous wild animal licensing which retain separate legislative requirements from the other five animal activity categories). The draft policy also describes the types of animal licensing matters that are likely to occur and how the council will deal with them.

Leader of North Devon Council, Councillor David Worden, says: "I would like to encourage anyone who is already an animal activity licence holder to take part in this consultation for their own benefit. The consultation is about a new policy, which will help ensure that we undertake animal licensing activities in a fair, equitable and consistent manner. Our committee members need your input in order to make an informed decision regarding these new proposals”.

The proposals and recommendations are available to read on the council's website. Anyone who wishes to make a comment can do so by:

• completing the survey 
• submitting a written comment to: The Licensing Team, Lynton House, Commercial Road, Barnstaple, EX31 1DG
• submitting a comment or emailing a completed survey to consultation@northdevon.gov.uk

Anyone would requires a hard copy of the consultation should contact Customer Services by email to customerservices@northdevon.gov.uk or by telephone on 01271 388870.

Responses to the consultation must be received by Monday 15 August 2022.

The draft Animal Licensing Policy is available to view on the council's consultation webpages, alongside the consultation. Once the consultation closes, licensing officers will review all the feedback and make any relevant adjustments to the draft policy. Later in 2022, the Licensing and Community Safety and the Strategy and Resources Committees will then review the final draft Policy and decide whether to recommend its adoption.