Animal Welfare is close to many residents’ hearts and bringing in a fully formed and internally consistent Borough wide Animal Welfare policy was one of the manifesto pledges of the Conservative Group on Woking Borough Council in the May 2022 Local Elections. Despite now being in opposition, the Conservative Group were able to secure cross party support at Thursday’s Full Council Meeting and agree Woking Borough’s first Animal Welfare Policy.
This policy will ensure information related to Animal Welfare is coded in one comprehensive document that will be available to all on the Council’s website so residents can be signposted to the relevant bodies dealing with all Animal Welfare related issues.
Cllr Ayesha Azad, leader of the Conservative Group said “Animal Welfare has always been very close to my heart. I’m delighted to have delivered a key Conservative manifesto pledge. It just shows that with good will from all sides we can make positive change happen. Work around Animal Welfare is a continuous process and I hope that we, as a Borough, can lead the way in ensuring Animal Welfare is given the due consideration it rightly deserves. I would, for example, like to see an end to the tethering of horses on Council owned grazing sites, and for Council sites not to be used for Firework displays, as it is very damaging to pets and wildlife. This document is the important first step in ensuring the Council and residents can work together for the welfare of all animals.”
Along with the Local Homes for Local People Policy passed at July’s Full Council meeting, this means that 2 of the Conservatives’ 6 key manifesto pledges have come to pass, despite being in opposition. Cllr Steve Dorsett, Conservative Group Whip added “Just because we are now in opposition doesn’t mean we’re going to stop fighting for our residents and trying to get the business done that we believe Woking truly needs. When we make a pledge, we mean it, and we will do everything in our power to deliver for the residents of Woking.”
