Agenda item - Gambling Act 2005 - Revised Policy

Report of the Director of Public Health (copy attached)

18.1       The Committee considered a report of the Director of Public Health which explained that it was a requirement of the Gambling Act 2005 that every three years Licensing Authorities prepared a statement (also known as a Policy) of the principles which they would apply when exercising their functions. It was also a requirement that the Licensing Authority must publish this statement following the procedure set out in the Act, which included details of whom they should consult.

18.2       In line with the guidance given by the Gambling Commission, the council’s current Statement of Gambling Policy had been sent to all statutory consultees, with the consultation period running for four weeks from 1 September, a copy of the document had also been made available on the council’s website, Consultation had taken the form of an interim review and had included minor amendments including changing the date and removal of any out of date information.

18.3    Having evaluated the responses received (set out in appendix 1 to the report) it was not recommended that any substantive changes be made. It was therefore proposed to maintain the existing policy but to remove any information which was out of date. The proposed Statement as amended was set out in appendix 2 to the report.

18.4    A vote was taken and Members voted unanimously that the recommendations set out in the report be approved.

18.5    RESOLVED: That the Director of Public Health agrees to refer the final version of the Statement of Gambling Policy (appended to the report) to Full Council for adoption.

            RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND: That the final Statement of Gambling Policy (as appended to the report) be presented to Full Council for approval and adoption.