Issue - meetings

Recommendations on page 176 and 177

RESOLVED – that

1)   the contract be awarded to Gatherwell as the External Lottery Manager for the provision of a Community Lottery Scheme for Bolsover District Council.

2)   the contract will be awarded initially for two years with the possibility of three additional periods each of two years.

3)    the Head of Leader’s Executive and Partnerships be given delegated authority in consultation with the Portfolio Holder - Partnerships and Leisure to extend the contract for the maximum of three additional periods each of two years. Extensions to be conditional upon the satisfactory performance of the contractor.

     4)   the Section 151 Officer be nominated the responsible officer for the Gambling Commission’s lottery licence.

5)   £5,871 be allocated from the Transformation Reserve to set up the scheme and that any ongoing costs are met from income received from the Community Lottery Scheme.

Executive considered a report of the Portfolio Holder – Partnerships and Leisure which sought approval to establish a Community Lottery Scheme for Bolsover District that was to provide an additional income stream to the district’s community and voluntary sector, whilst also providing an opportunity for the Council to raise money to fund additional community focused initiatives.

The proposal was described as a great opportunity for income to be generated to support initiatives in the local community.

Details of the scheme and the proposed provider were set out in the report.

Members discussed concerns regarding gambling and its impact on families and communities. It was noted that there is a limit on the number of tickets per person and that an annual contribution from the income of the scheme would be made to one or more organisations which research into the prevention and treatment of gambling related harm, develop harm prevention approaches and identify and fund treatment to those harmed by gambling.  

It was also noted that other local authorities run community lottery schemes and the Council would benefit from their experience.

Councillor Clive Moesby asked for a report to be brought back in one years’ time to review the performance of the lottery. The Leader advised Members that the scheme would be closely monitored and reviewed.

RESOLVED – that

1)   the contract be awarded to Gatherwell as the External Lottery Manager for the provision of a Community Lottery Scheme for Bolsover District Council.

2)   the contract will be awarded initially for two years with the possibility of three additional periods each of two years.

3)    the Head of Leader’s Executive and Partnerships be given delegated authority in consultation with the Portfolio Holder - Partnerships and Leisure to extend the contract for the maximum of three additional periods each of two years. Extensions to be conditional upon the satisfactory performance of the contractor.

     4)   the Section 151 Officer be nominated the responsible officer for the Gambling Commission’s lottery licence.

5)   £5,871 be allocated from the Transformation Reserve to set up the scheme and that any ongoing costs are met from income received from the Community Lottery Scheme.

REASON FOR DECISION:

The contract was awarded to Gatherwell Ltd following a compliant procurement exercise.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED:

The option not run a Community Lottery Scheme and to continue to fund community initiatives from the Council’s general fund budgets was rejected as budgets were reducing and alternative avenues to raise income were needed.