Northumberland County Council has been awarded a Gold Stray Dog Footprint in the RSPCA's Community Animal Welfare Footprint Awards (CAWF) 2017. The RSPCA works with local authorities, the police and housing associations to help them deliver animal welfare services, and the awards scheme recognises organisations that work tirelessly to ensure high welfare standards for animals in the services they provide. The fantastic achievement of Northumberland County Council will be celebrated at a winners' reception in November, and I congratulate the Council on their award and the great work they do protecting animals and animal welfare in Northumberland.