Issue - meetings

The Executive Member for Planning and Growth presented the recommendation which was referred to in the Executive report of 23 November 2021. She said that the council were required to update the policy every three years under the Licensing Act 2003. The updated policy had only minor amendments that were subject to consultation. Councillor Goodeve thanked the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods for his work on the policy.

Councillor Goodeve proposed, and Councillor Curtis seconded a motion supporting the recommendation. On being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED - That the Statement of Gambling Principles 2022-25 be adopted.

The Executive Member for Planning and Growth presented a report on the Statement of Gambling Principles. The Council was required under the Licensing Act 2003 to adopt the statement every three years. Councillor Goodeve said that if the council did not adopt the statement, then it would be in breach of the Act and would not be able to regulate gambling in the District. The amendments to the statement were minor and gambling activity in the District was relatively small, mainly relating to premises with one or two gambling machines. No representation had been received due to the changes being minor with little or no impact on stakeholders or licence holders.

Councillor Goodeve proposed, and Councillor Kaye seconded a motion supporting the recommendation in the report. On being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – To recommend to Council the adoption of the Statement of Gambling Principles 2022-2025.

The Senior Licensing and Enforcement Officer presented a report on the revised draft Statement of Gambling Principles 2022-25 following a consultation. He said that the Gambling Act 2005 requires each Local Authority to adopt and publish a Statement of Principles every three years. The consultation ran for four weeks from 22 August – 22 September 2021 and no responses were received. Officers suggested that the lack of responses did not reflect the quality of the consultation but was possibly a result of a combination of factors like the proposed changes were minor with little or no impact on licence holders and there have been no negative impacts from the previous statement. He also said that gambling has mostly moved online and the impact of the pandemic had further accelerated the shift. He confirmed there were no amendments to the draft Statement.

The Chairman acknowledged the work done by some Members who had fed into the Statement.

Councillor Bolton proposed and Councillor Goldspink seconded a motion supporting the recommendation in the report. On being put the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that the final version of the Statement of Gambling Principles 2022-2025 be endorsed for presentation to the Executive.