Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED: to approve the minutes of the meeting on 4 October 2012 as a correct record and agree that the Chairman sign these as such.

Purpose: to adopt a new single consolidated set of byelaws, produced by the Department of Health, to regulate acupuncture, tattooing, semi-permanent skin-colouring, cosmetic piercing and electrolysis.

The committee considered the report of the Head of Health and Housing that invited it to adopt a new single consolidated set of byelaws produced by the Department of Health to regulate all skin piercing activities (acupuncture, tattooing, semi-permanent skin-colouring, cosmetic piercing and electrolysis).

Diane Moore, Shared Food and Safety Manager, introduced the report and answered questions as follows:

·        operatives require appropriate training and qualifications before carrying out any activities covered by the byelaws;

·        registration certificates must be displayed on the premises;

·        the registration fee is a one off fee and covers all the council’s administrative costs;

·        the fees are consistent with those of neighbouring district councils and with the fees proposed for the Vale of white Horse District Council;

·        the premises are inspected as part of the current health and safety inspections;

·        the adoption of the byelaws will not increase workload;

·        skin piercing activities covered acupuncture, tattooing, semi-permanent skin-colouring, cosmetic piercing and electrolysis; and

·        existing byelaws would be revoked.

Councillors commented that the required publicity for the new byelaws should explicitly state which activities were covered.

RESOLVED: to

1.      adopt model byelaws for the regulation of skin piercing activities in accordance with section 15 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 as amended by section 120 of the Local Government Act 2003;

2.            authorise the Head of Legal Services to apply to the Secretary of State for confirmation;

3.            note that the relevant registration requirements come into effect from the date on which the byelaws referred to above are confirmed by the Secretary of State and the current byelaws revoked.