Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors M Emmens, M Foster, M Potts, L Stone and M E Thacker MBE JP.

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or other interests, not already on their register of interests, in any item on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

None.

To approve as a correct record and the Chair to sign the attached Minutes of the meeting of the Licensing and Gambling Acts Committee held on 25 July 2022.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the meeting held on 25 July 2022 were approved as a true record.

Report of the Environmental Health Services Manager

Committee was reminded that under the Gambling Act 2005 the Council was responsible for issuing a range of premises licenses, including those for casinos, bingo halls, betting offices and other places were gambling takes place.  It was required to have a policy on how it would regulate Gambling in the District. Under the Act, the Policy had to be reviewed every three years. As part of the review, a public consultation exercise had taken place. Following on from this a Revised Policy had been produced. Committee was asked to endorse this Policy and recommend it to Council for approval.

Members discussed the response to the consultation exercise and the issues raised. Committee discussed the Revised Policy and its associated ‘Local Area Profile’ for the District, with the aim of giving operators and a better awareness of the local area and the potential and actual risks which they need to take into account.

Members considered the growth of Online Gambling. They noted the most recent annual statistics from the National Gambling Treating Service which indicated that 79% of gamblers now did so Online. Members also heard that since the Policy had last been reviewed and published, in 2019 there had been a reduction in the number of gambling premises in the District from 7 to 4.

At the conclusion of the discussion, Members felt that Revised Policy would be appropriate in terms of regulating Gambling Premises within the District. Members noted, however, that Online Gambling could not be regulated locally by Licensing Authorities through such policies.  Committee also felt that given the reduction in the number of Gambling premises and the growth a so-called ‘Cumulative Impact Policy, to restrict the number of such premises in the District would not be required.

RESOLVED

(1)            That Licensing and Gambling Acts Committee noted the outcome of the Public Consultation on the Council’s Gambling Act.

(2)            That Licensing and Gambling Act Committee noted the findings in relation to the Cumulative Impact Policy.

(3)            That the Licensing and Gambling Acts Committee endorsed the proposed amendments to the Gambling Act 2005 Policy and Local Area Profile.

(4)            That the Revised Policy and Local Area Profile be submitted to Council for approval.

Verbal Update by the Environmental Health Services Manager

Members received an Update on recent issue relating to the Council’s Licensing responsibilities. These included the introduction of CCTV in licensed vehicles and operational issues that would need to be addressed.

RESOLVED - That Committee noted the Update.

Verbal Update by the Interim Governance Manager

Committee was asked to bring forward the time of its meeting on 7 February 2023 in order to accommodate a Member Training session on the Council’s Licensing functions.

RESOLVED - That the revised timing of the Committee meeting on 7 February 2023 be determined in agreement with the Chair of the Council.

To consider any other matter which the Chair of the Committee is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.

None.