Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings held on 30th September 2020 and 19th May 2021.

The Minutes of the meetings held on 30th September and 19th May 2021 were approved as correct records and signed by the Chairman.

To receive from Members declarations as to disclosable pecuniary and other interests in relation to any Agenda item.

No declarations were received.

To consider a report by the Acting Operational Manager (Business) seeking approval of a draft Statement of Principles for public consultation.

Consideration was given to a report by Acting Operational Manager (Business) (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) to which was attached a draft Statement of Principles under the provisions of the Gambling Act 2005 for the period 2022-25. The Statement outlines the principles which the Council proposes to apply when exercising its functions under the Act.

Having noted that the Council were required to review their Statement of Principles every 3 years and that the previous Statement had been adopted in 2018, the Committee were advised that on this occasion it was only proposed to make minor changes to the Statement to update dates and named organisations  and to reflect changes made to the sizes of bets which could be made at Fixed Odds Betting Terminals.

In reviewing the draft Statement of Principles, comment was made that it was surprising that many of the measures which applicants were expected to offer to meet the licensing objectives at family entertainment centre premises were not mandatory and set by the Secretary of State. Clarification was also sought and provided on the gaming entitlements for Members clubs wishing to run not for profit / fundraising events.

The Committee also discussed, with reference to the recent reports of an increase in gambling, those organisations which could support individuals with a gambling addiction. Whilst it was not the role of the Licensing Authority to offer this type of support, there was a potential to signpost individuals through the District Council’s Community Team.

Having noted that the Council was required to undertake a public consultation on the draft Statement, the Committee were advised that it was intended that this would take place between 2nd July and 17th September 2021 in accordance with Cabinet Office guidelines. In response to the comments of a member regarding the list of consultees, the Acting Operational Manager (Business) undertook to revise this accordingly.

Whereupon it was

RESOLVED

(a)  that the draft Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles as set out in the appendix to the report be approved for public consultation;

(b)  that the Acting Operational Manager (Business) be authorised to make amendments to the draft statement that are considered necessary as a result of any new comments received from the public consultation exercise or arising from new guidance issued by the Gambling Commission to Licensing Authorities; and

(c)  that the revised final draft be put before the Licensing Committee for endorsement to Cabinet and full Council.