Issue - items at meetings - Draft Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Customer, Community and Regulatory.

Decision

(a) That the draft Gambling Policy 2021-2024, as set out in appendix A, be agreed and published for a period of public consultation of not less than 12 weeks;

(b) That, subject to there being no relevant representations, the Service Manager for Licensing & Community Safety, in consultation with the Chairman of the Licensing Committee recommends to the Council adoption of the Draft Gambling Licensing Policy;

(c) Should relevant representations be received, which require consideration of one or more significant amendments to the policy, officers be instructed to bring a further report to the meeting of the Licensing Committee with the outcomes of the consultation.

Reason for Recommendations:

To comply with legislative requirements,

To ensure openness and transparency in the Council’s decision making, and

To ensure that those persons affected by the policy are given the opportunity to have an input into it.

The Portfolio Holder for Customer, Community and Regulatory set out that the Council, as the Licensing Authority under the Gambling Act 2005, was required to publish a Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy at least every three years. The policy statement defined how the Council would exercise its responsibilities under the Act.

Members were advised that the draft policy had been considered by an informal meeting of the Licensing Committee prior to coming forward to Cabinet for consideration and would also be subject to a period of public consultation before the outcome was reviewed by Scrutiny and recommended for approval by Licensing Committee to Full Council.

The Vice-Chairman of the Licensing Committee confirmed that members had considered the draft policy and commended that it now go out to public consultation.