Could this be a way to reduce DWAL fees?

[ian14]

Having kept herps for donkeys years, I have been considering applying for a DWA. One thing which puts me off is the extortionate fees charged by councils.
I fully accept that the cost of a vets visit needs to be met, as does the cost of a council inspector visiting. Given that a visit is, I am guessing, little more than an hour, how can councils charge, again at a guess, nationally an average of say £400 to issue a licence, when the inspector is probably earining around £10 an hour, and the licence costs pennies to print off from a computer and post to the applicant!
My thought is this - everything nowadays has to be compiant with the Human Rights Act, which includes one specific article that everyone has the right to freedom of private life. Another essential element is that everything carried out by any legal body must be necesary and proportionate.
Now, I am sure we all agree that DWA is necessary, BUT are the charges proportionate? I would suggest not.

I am not looking to start a huge debate, just wondered what anyone else thinks on this?

[Declan123]

Personally, if applying for a DWA, imo... there should be training courses... or like florida, where you have to work with venomous for so many hours... like 400 i think

I think its ridiculous how come councils charge way over the top, and others dont


It just shows which councils are money grabbers

[ian14]

I completely agree with the need for a proper, regulated training course. There is always talk of mentors, and yes I agree many "mentors" are experienced handlers, however, if they have bad habits these will be passed on.
There should be a nationally accepted course, for example run through zoos with venomous snakes with a recognised certificate at the end of the course, or for current keepers to go on a trainers course to allow them to teach new keepers, and I agree that the cost should be met by the new keeper.
I feel that the October 07 review of the DWA missed a trick on this!
I also fail to see how the cost of a piece of paper can vary from as little as £75 to over £2k a year depending on where you live.

[boidae]

perhaps the fees are there to make sure you really do want to look after them.
youll pay it if you want them.
it stops random people getting hold of dangerous wild animals.

[ian14]

I agree to an extent, but I disagree with the massive difference in price. This is why, in my opinion, it would be better to go down the line of a nationally accepted certificate of competence rather than a range of costs as I mentioned before.

[boidae]

some areas are wealthyer than other's.

[ian14]

And that has what to do with it?????????

I live in an area with some of the most deprived estates in the UK, in fact one was placed in the top 5 most deprived estates in the UK, yet for me to get a DWA would cost £500. So I am sorry, but your argument holds no water!

[boidae]

Originally Posted by ian14

And that has what to do with it?????????

the fee's are fine to me.
so you must be from a poorer area to think there too much.

[ian14]

Originally Posted by boidae

the fee's are fine to me.
so you must be from a poorer area to think there too much.

Then I guess you must be from a super rich area then! My argument is how one council can charge £75 per year, yet another can charge £2000 for the same licence!!!

I would really like to know just what experience you have, given your previous remarks on hognoses, and then to make a comment such as the one I have quoted you on.

The whole point of this thread was to find peoples view on the disparity in DWA charges, not to start slagging off where people live. If you have no valid or informative point or response to make, please don't bother to reply. I would really prefer this thread remains as a sensible discussion debating an issue which is of some importance to both current and future DWA holders, rather than the previous threads in which you have become involved and been closed by the mods. By all means pass on your views but there is no need to be condrescending.

[Lucifus]

I think it has to do with public liability insurance, however again how can one charge £75 the other thousands.