Someone has asked us about the District Council’s view on circuses.
Well, there’s currently a statement on the council website here:
Statement on Circuses
Rochford District Council has a clear position on the circus currently visiting the District.
The circus has never been and is currently not located on land owned by Rochford District Council. This means the Council is unable to prohibit these activities.
There is currently no legislation that enables any Council to place a blanket ban on circuses. Indeed, if any Council were to impose a blanket ban, the validity of such a decision would be open to legal challenge.
If an application to hold a circus, performance, exhibition or display of animals on any Council land or premises is received then it would be considered individually and the decision to grant or refuse such an application would be based on a wide range of considerations, including animal welfare. A public body, as a matter of law, cannot make decisions based purely on moral grounds.
Does this mean that the circus does not have to apply for a licence to put on a perform.
Admin, do you know if the circus would have to apply to the local council for a permit? I would have thought with animals performing, as this circus does, they would need council and RSPCA sanctions for the performances to go ahead?
We’ll check it out…
Chris, Thanks for the info received from the Council regarding the restrictions or rather the lack of restrictions on circuses that have animals performing. This circus, according to its web page has Tigers, Ponies, Camels, Horses, Llamas and other animals performing. Surely with Tigers performing, apart from their wellbeing it must be dangerous for children in such an environment? I think this type of exploitation sends a completely negative message to children. The circus does nothing to ensure the security of any species but more the exploitation of animals who cannot speak up for themselves.(My own opinion and not that of Admin.)
I would also be happy to see what the RSPCA have to say about the circus, If they have an opinion of course? or do they agree with circuses?