Decision - Award of Stray Dog Services 2022-2025
Decision details
Award of Stray Dog Services 2022-2025
Decision Maker: Chief Executive
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Purpose:
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 requires
the Council to seize and detain stray dogs and to appoint an
officer for this purpose. Furthermore, additional legislation
places an obligation on the Council to secure the welfare of stray
dogs.
Since 2017 the Council's stray dog service has been undertaken by
Worcestershire Regulatory Services, as part of a joint procurement
alongside Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council. A
tender exercise for a new contract was undertaken throughout the
summer of 2022 and Worcestershire Regulatory Services have been
awarded the new contract. Again, the tender was undertaken on a
joint procurement basis with Cheltenham and Gloucester no tender
submissions were received from any organisation other than
Worcestershire Regulatory Services.
The estimated contract start date is 1 September 2022 and the
contract will run for 3 years, with an option to extend for a 4th
year. Services expected by Worcestershire Regulatory Services as
part of the contract include, stray dog collection, kennelling,
rehoming and welfare provision. The service also includes
out-of-hours provision and will accept calls up until 10pm on
weekdays and from 9am to 10pm on bank holidays. Any calls received
beyond 10pm will be dealt with by the Council's stand-by
officers.
A clear service pricing schedule has been provided by
Worcestershire Regulatory Services including collection, kennelling
and veterinary fees, and this information is also available on its
website. On average approximately 30 stray dogs are collected
annually in Tewkesbury by Worcestershire Regulatory Service and the
annual budget for stray dog services is approximately
£10,000.
The decision to award the contract is essential in order to ensure
that the Council is able to maintain its statutory obligations
regarding stray dogs.
Decision:
To award the contract for stray dog services
2022-2025 to Bromsgrove District Council (Worcestershire Regulatory
Services).
Alternative options considered:
No other viable options available. There are
no short/medium term plans to bring the stray dog service back
in-house.
Publication date: 01/09/2022
Date of decision: 31/08/2022