Issue - meetings

This report seeks approval for the adoption of consolidated model Byelaws to regulate premises carrying out acupuncture, tattooing, electrolysis, semi-permanent skin colouring, cosmetic and ear piercing within Medway.

This will also require revocation of the existing two sets of The City of Rochester Upon Medway Byelaws that regulate both tattooing, and ear piercing and electrolysis.

Background:

This report sought approval for the adoption of consolidated model Byelaws to regulate premises carrying out acupuncture, tattooing, electrolysis, semi-permanent skin colouring, cosmetic and ear piercing within Medway.

This would also require revocation of the existing two sets of The City of Rochester Upon Medway Byelaws that regulated both tattooing, and ear piercing and electrolysis, in accordance with sections 14 and 15 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 as amended by section 120 of the Local Government Act 2003.

These byelaws had been adopted by Medway Council at its formation in 1998 and had remained in force since then.

The report had previously been considered by the Licensing and Safety Committee on 5 August 2025, the comments of which were set out at section 6 of the report.

Councillor McDonald, supported by Councillor Browne, proposed the recommendations set out in the report.

Decisions:

a)    The Council noted the minutes of the Licensing and Safety Committee, as set out at section 6 of the report.

b)    The Council approved the adoption of the Acupuncture, tattooing, semi-permanent skin-colouring, cosmetic piercing and electrolysis Byelaws, as set out in sections 1 to 5 of Appendix 1 to the report.

c)    The Council agreed to revoke the Byelaws currently in force, namely: ‘Byelaws relating to ear piercing and electrolysis’ and ‘Byelaws relating to tattooing’, made by the City of Rochester Upon Medway, under section 15 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982.

To seek approval for the adoption of consolidated model Byelaws to regulate premises carrying out acupuncture, tattooing, electrolysis, semi-permanent skin colouring, cosmetic and ear piercing within Medway.

This will also require revocation of the existing two sets of The City of Rochester Upon Medway Byelaws that regulate both tattooing, and ear piercing and electrolysis, in accordance with sections 14 and 15 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 as amended by section 120 of the Local Government Act 2003.

These Byelaws were adopted by Medway Council at its formation in 1998 and have remained in force since then.

Discussion:

Officers informed the Committee that the proposed new Byelaws were model Byelaws produced by the Department of Health and it was proposed that they replaced Byelaws adopted in 1988. Local Authorities can devise their own Byelaws, however this would require approval by the Secretary of State and adopting the model Byelaws would not have a significant impact on premises already registered or those that would be registered in future.

Officers confirmed that if adopted the Byelaws would apply to the whole of Medway.

Decision:

a)    The Committee noted the consolidated model Byelaws to regulate acupuncture, tattooing, electrolysis, semi-permanent skin colouring, cosmetic and ear piercing.

b)    The Committee noted that Council would be requested to approve the adoption of the Byelaws, in line with many other local authorities, on 16 October 2025.

c)    The Committee noted that if the new Byelaws were adopted, Council would be requested to revoke the Byelaws currently in force, namely: ‘Byelaws relating to ear piercing and electrolysis’ and ‘Byelaws relating to tattooing’, made by the City of Rochester Upon Medway, under section 15 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982.