Circuses
Having regard to the District Councils premises and land, either
owned or managed, it is unlikely that they would be suitable for
circuses, performances, exhibitions or displays of animals. However
it is Council policy that all applications to hold circuses,
performances, exhibitions or displays of animals on any District
Council land or premises will be considered individually and the
decision to grant or refuse such applications will be based on a
wide range of considerations, including animal welfare.
Many Circuses are located on Private land where the Council has
no jurisdiction, however all circuses are subject to Performing
Animals Registration Certificates that are issued by the local
authority where the circus is based. These certificates are issued
by Trading Standards and list the type and number of animals that
the circus can have. Each circus should have a copy of these
certificates with them. The contact details for the Trading
Standards office that covers the Rochford District Council area is:
Essex County Council Trading Standards Service, 2, Beaufort Road,
Dukes Park Industrial Estate, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 6PS; telephone
number 08454 04 05 06 or email advice.unit@essexcc.gov.uk
The circuses may need to be licensed under the Licensing
Act 2003. Please see related documents for details on Licensing
Circuses.
In addition to this, the RSPCA may visit the circus to check on
the welfare of the animals. The RSPCA also have a very useful
website, found in Related Links below, that you may
wish to visit that gives further information with regard to
circuses.