Agenda item - Written questions from Councillors.

71.1         The Mayor reminded Council that written questions from Members and the replies from the appropriate Councillor were taken as read by reference to the list included in the addendum which had been circulated as detailed below:

71.2         (a) Councillor Cox

“Why is there a 15p surcharge when a motorist pays by phone for parking?

What assistance can the Council give to small businesses who employ people to visit homes in controlled parking zones to help them with the mechanics of their employees paying by phone? Would it be possible to issue a small business in such circumstances with a business card which allows all their employees to pay by phone using the same card?”

71.3         Reply from Councillor West, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee.

“There is a 15p service charge to cover the cost of the service and card handling fee.

For customers who have the need of several users on their account, there is a Corporate Account option.  This allows a PayByPhone account t to be created by an administrator.  They can then add vehicles and users onto their account.  There is one payment card on the account that the users will all use.  The administrator can also run of reports and receipts from the website as well for all parking sessions processed on their account.

To set up a PayByPhone Corporate Account a business will need to visit:

http://www.PayByPhone.co.uk and click onto Corporate Account Users.”

71.4         (b) Councillor A. Norman

“Licenses for professional dog walkers:

Residents and visitors alike welcome the opportunity to walk their dogs responsibly and safely in our city parks but some have reported that their walk has been spoilt by the unsociable actions of a few of our professional dog walkers who may be walking several dogs on any one occasion. Is it perhaps time to follow the lead of the Royal Parks where a license has to be sought for professional dog walkers which is enforceable should any problems arise.

If you wish to use our parks for professional dog walking purposes you should be licensed. Operators are licensed to ensure that:

·            the parks and wildlife are protected;

·            access to and use of public open space is maintained for all visitors;

·            professional dog walkers are complying with current health and safety and best industry practise for the safety and enjoyment of their dogs and staff;

·            all professional dog walkers have to be fully insured and hold liability for participant's safety;

·            professional activities that are undertaken in the city parks should help to contribute to the costs of its infrastructure and income derived from licenses for professional dog walkers should be earmarked for the City Parks service.”

71.5         Reply from Councillor Powell, Chair of the Licensing Committee.

“The Royal Parks run a licencing scheme made under The Royal Parks and Other Open Spaces Regulations 1997.  These regulations do not apply to Brighton and Hove City Parks and professional dog walking is not a licensable activity.

Brighton and Hove City Council runs a voluntary scheme that professional dog walkers sign up to.  The Council was the first to create such a scheme and 30 dog walking companies have signed up to it.  The scheme requires companies to comply with current health and safety laws, best industry practise, the City’s Dog Control Orders and the Animal Welfare Act.  It also requires professional dog walkers to be fully insured.

Details of the scheme can be found on our web pages. 

The Council’s Animal Welfare Team will investigate all allegations of bad practice and any incidents should be reported to the team to follow up.  The Animal Welfare Team can be contacted on 01273 294266.”