Issue - meetings

Purpose: To consider the responses received during the eight-week consultation period on the revised draft Statement and make a recommendation to Council that it adopts the amended Statement of Licensing Policy Principles (hereafter referred to as The Statement) under the Gambling Act 2005 (the Act) as set out in Appendix A.

Council considered a report (Agenda Item 13) concerning the adoption of the Revised Statement of Licensing Policy Principles under S.349 of the Gambling Act 2005.

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Justin Pemberton and seconded by Councillor Jeremy Cottam:

“That Council:

1)    Considered the draft Statement and the consultation responses received.

2)    Delegates authority to the Service Lead (Public Protection), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, to make any minor corrections to the Statement prior to publication.

3)    Approves the Statement for adoption and publication by the 31 January 2025.”

Councillor Pemberton introduced the report and highlighted that it was a revision of the existing Gambling Policy which was last approved in 2022. He highlighted the need to promote the licencing objectives, those being the prevention of gambling becoming a source of crime or disorder, ensuring that gambling was conducted fairly and openly, and protecting children and vulnerable people.

The policy needed to be reviewed every three years and take account of any new guidance. Although a White Paper was expected, Councillor Pemberton indicated that they should not wait for this to be produced before updating the policy and so the report had been brought to Council. He also indicated that the policy had gone through consultation and as a result, had incorporated a number of minor amendments but that they were not significant or material to the Policy. Councillor Pemberton clarified a point raised in the consultation and confirmed that not all staff in a premises where gambling took place needed mandatory training. This requirement was attached to operating licenses of specific premises, such as casinos, rather than to all premises that hosted some form of gambling.

In response to a question about the lack of responses to the consultation, Councillor Pemberton indicated that as the document was a technical, statutory document, a large response was not expected. Some Members also expressed a desire for better identification of betting machines and that the value of prizes was clearly regulated.

Overall, as Council were satisfied with the report, they agreed to adopt the revised statement of licencing policy principles.

The Motion was put to the meeting and duly RESOLVED.