Public consultations on revised policies in the East Riding
It'll be on gambling and keeping dangerous wild animals in the county
Revised policies on gambling and keeping dangerous wild animals in the East Riding are set for public consultations.
East Riding Council’s cabinet backed draft updates on both policies today (Tuesday, November 2) after hearing they would bring them in line with recent law changes.
Council Public Health portfolio holder Cllr Kerri Harold said the draft Statement of Gambling Principles for 2022 to 2025 would better protect people, including children and young people, from harm.
The portfolio holder added the revised Dangerous Wild Animals Licensing Policy would ensure keepers stuck to the best possible welfare standards.
Both draft policies are now set for four weeks of public consultation before going back before cabinet for final sign offs.
It comes as councillors also put a ÂŁ6.6m programme to buy a new vehicle fleet on hold to look at options for electric ones, particularly HGVs and bin lorries.
Environment portfolio holder Cllr Chris Matthews said the council needed to do more to show its commitment to tackling climate change.
He added that despite officers saying heavy electric vehicle prices were extortionate, lower fuel and maintenance costs could save money in the long run.
But Cllr Victoria Aitken, children and young people’s portfolio holder and holder of a HGV licence, said buying those vehicles now, with many in early development, would be a risk.
The cabinet also backed the introduction of a new Town and Parish Council Charter, setting out the relationship between the East Riding and those authorities.
Council Chief Executive Caroline Lacey also told the cabinet officers were looking at lobbying the Department for Education to write off its ÂŁ11.6m schools budget deficit.
Finance Director Julian Neilson told the cabinet such budgets were a national issue, with Ms Lacey adding some authorities had already reached settlements to write them off entirely.
Council Communities Director Paul Bellotti said the draft gambling policy focused on stopping gambling fuelling crime and disorder and protecting people from harm and exploitation.
A report to cabinet stated all councils had been instructed to update their policies by January with a government white paper proposing to overhaul gambling laws due in December.
Cllr Harold said the revised gambling policy would make the council’s approach to the industry more thoughtful, ethical and responsible.
Council leader Cllr Jonathan Owen said the draft updated policy showed the authority was being proactive in dealing with the effects of gambling.
Mr Bellotti said the draft dangerous wild animals policy would bring council rules in line with those set out in the Animal Welfare Act enacted in 2018.
New measures include making dangerous wild animal licence holders agree to checks from a vet to ensure welfare and living conditions are up to standard.
Cllr Harold said:
“It’s important that regardless of whether someone owns a little kitty in their home or a big kitty somewhere else that standards are the same.
“It’s about us wanting to ensure that all animals are looked after and that welfare standards are met.”