Issue - meetings

Council considered a report of the Portfolio Holder for the Environment relating to the Council’s Statement of Principles under the Gambling Act 2005 seeking Council approval to adopt the revised draft Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Licensing Principles and the draft Gambling Act 2005 Local Area Profile.

In 2018, an extensive review was undertaken to ensure that the Council’s Policy was consistent with the Gambling Commission’s Guidance to Licensing Authorities.  The Policy, together with a Local Area Profile (LAP) was published in 2018 and the Act required to Council to republish its policy every three years.

Since the extensive review in 2018, the policy had remained largely unchanged save for minor amendments which aimed to achieve the following:

·       Modify the format of the Policy to ensure it remained cohesive and consistent with that of neighbouring local authorities;

·       Ensure the Policy was consistent with legislation and statutory guidance;

·       Increase the clarity of the Policy;

·       Update local demographics; and

·       Provide clarity on delegations.

Following consideration of the draft Policy and LAP at the Licensing and Gambling Acts Committee, a 12 week public consultation took place between 2 June 2025 and 24 August 2025.  The only changes to the policy were to bring the policy up to date with the Gambling Commissions Guidance to Licensing Authorities and to update the local demographics.

Moved by Councillor Hiney-Saunders and seconded by Councillor Dooley

RESOLVED (1) that the recommendation from the Licensing and Gambling Act           Committee that the final draft Gambling Act 2005: Statement of           Principles and Local Area Profile be approved for adoption with effect           from 23 February 2026; and

(2) that the Joint Assistant Director – Environmental Health now follow the formal process to adopt the final draft Gambling Act 2005: Statement of Principles and Local Area Profile.