Issue - meetings

To consider a recommendation from the Licensing Committee.

The Chairman of the Licensing Committee presented the Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy 2021 – 2024

The Council, as Licensing Authority under the Gambling Act 2005, is required to publish a Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy at least every three years.

The purpose of the policy statement was to define how the Council would exercise its responsibilities under the Act. The draft policy had been prepared by officers, considered at an informal meeting of the Licensing Committee and undergone 12 weeks of public consultation.

The policy had been presented to the Place & Resources Overview Committee for comment on 19 October and the Licensing Committee on 22 October.

Proposed by Cllr Emma Parker, seconded by Cllr Les Fry.

Decision

That the Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy 2021-2024 be adopted.

Reason for Decision

To comply with legislative requirements. The policy statement defines how the Council exercises its responsibilities under the Gambling Act 2005.

The Council, as Licensing Authority under the Licensing Act 2003, is required to publish a Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy at least every three years. The purpose of the policy statement is to define how the Council will exercise its responsibilities under the Act. The draft policy has been prepared by officers, considered at an informal meeting of the Licensing Committee and has been published, in draft format, for a period of public consultation of 12 weeks.

The public consultation took place between 6^th July and 27^th September 2020.

The policy went before Place & Resources Overview Committee for comment on 19 October, and a verbal update will be given by officers at this meeting.

The reviewed Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy is before the committee for consideration prior to recommendation to Full Council for adoption.

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The Service Manager for Licensing and Community Safety presented the Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy 2021-2024.

He explained that this was Dorset Council’s first Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy.  A new policy for a new Council, which under the Gambling Act 2005 was required to be in place by 1 April 2021.  Prior to the formation of Dorset Council each of the predecessor District and Borough Councils had their own Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy and the best bits had been extracted for inclusion in the new policy.

A 12-week public consultation had taken place between 6th July and 27th September 2020, 7 responses had been received. 

The policy had been presented to the Place & Resources Overview Committee for comment on 19 October, a supplementary update with their comments had been published and circulated prior to this meeting.

A draft Equalities Impact Assessment was attached at Appendix B, a final version would be provided with the draft Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy, once approved, when it was presented to Full Council.

In response to a question regarding on-line gambling the Service Manager for Licensing and Community Safety advised that this was a huge problem nationally, but Local Councils did not have a regulatory role relating to on-line gambling, this was governed by the Gambling Commission.  Work was being carried out with the Chairman to raise awareness and tackle the unseen harm of gambling.  The Chairman was also liaising with local MPs on the issue.  The Service Manager for Licensing and Community Safety highlighted proposed amendments at 3.1, 3.5 and 21.4 in the report.  The documents would be proof- read prior to submission to Full Council.

The Chairman thanked those involved with the creation of the policy, the Place & Resources Overview Committee for their comments and the members of the public who responded to the consultation.

Proposed by Cllr Parker, Seconded by Cllr Andrews.

Decision:  That following review of the responses received during the consultation period, the inclusion of the proposed amendments to the draft policy and consideration of the comments received from the Place & Resources Overview Committee, the Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy was recommended to Full Council for adoption.