Issue - meetings

To consider the draft Statement of Principles (Gambling Act 2005) following the period of statutory consultation.

The Committee considered a report regarding a proposed revised Statement of Gambling Principles, which the Council was required to publish by 31 January 2013.

A consultation exercise with stakeholders had been undertaken, and three responses had been received confirming that the organisations they represented had no comments to make.

The Sustainable Communities Scrutiny Committee had considered the revised Statement of Gambling Principles on 25 October 2012, and the minutes setting out Members’ comments were tabled at the meeting.  The Licensing Team Leader explained that no action could be taken in respect of the definition of responsible authorities and the procedure for requests for reviews of premises licences, which were set out in the relevant legislation.  In addition, noise leakage could not be covered by a licence condition, as the licensing objectives did not include public nuisance, and the provision of information leaflets and helpline numbers to protect vulnerable persons was covered by the mandatory conditions from the Gambling Commission.  Licensing Committee Members noted that there was no capacity in the Licensing section for test purchases to be undertaken, and that all Members were already notified of applications received.  The comment that reviews and applications should be considered by the full Licensing Committee was noted, but Members considered that the current arrangements were satisfactory.

RESOLVED – That the content of the Revised Statement of Gambling Principles, as set out in appendix A to the report, be supported, subject to the eighth bullet point in paragraph 10.5.4 being amended to read ‘Self-barring schemes’.