Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Licensing Committee meeting held on 17th June, 2021, be approved as a correct record.

The Committee considered a report, presented by David Smith, the Licensing Officer, which set out a proposed Statement of Licensing Policy 2022, Gambling Act 2005, following its triennial review.

The Council was required under the Gambling Act 2005, to produce a Statement of Licensing Policy and to review its Policy triennially.  It was noted that the report was the sixth Statement of Policy produced by the Council under the Gambling Act 2005, which set out the steps that needed to be taken by Applicants and how the Licensing Committee would conduct hearings for applications that could not be resolved.

Members were informed that the Statement had been produced following public consultation including those bodies and persons set out at Section 1.10 of the draft Policy, which resulted in only one response from a trade representative.  The details of the response and the changes made to the policy as a result, were detailed within Appendix B to the report.  With the exception of minor administrative changes, the proposed Policy was generally unchanged from the current version, a copy of which was attached as Appendix C to the report.

Members were requested to note the response to the consultation and recommend that Full Council adopt the revised policy.

Following the Chair affording Members in the Chamber the opportunity to speak on the report, an amendment to the Gambling Policy was MOVED and Seconded in that the term ‘Addiction’ be included within the heading ‘Vulnerable Persons’ at paragraph 7.2 of the revised Policy on page number 47 of the agenda papers.

Following a discussion with Officers on whether the Policy could be amended at this stage in the adoption process and a subsequent adjournment to consider relevant legislation and guidance, Members were informed that guidance from the Gambling Commission, which was one of the consultees, stated that the Commission did not seek to define vulnerable persons and it was for regulatory purposes, and therefore, the definition in the revised Policy reflected what was in the Gambling Commission guidance.

Subsequent to the advice provided to Members of the Committee, the amendment to include the term ‘Addiction’ within the heading ‘Vulnerable Persons’ at paragraph 7.2 of the revised Gambling Policy, was again Moved and Seconded.

A vote was taken on the amendment to the Gambling Policy proposed by Councillor Thomas Noon, which was declared as follows:-

For - 2

Against - 5

Abstain - 0

On being put to the meeting, the amendment to the Gambling Policy was declared LOST.  However, the Chair, Councillor Dave Shaw, requested that Officers specifically consider whether the term ‘Addiction’ could be included in the Statement of Licensing Policy 2022, Gambling Act 2005, during the next triennial review.

            RESOLVED that the Committee support the reviewed Statement of Licensing       Policy 2022, Gambling Act 2005, and recommend it to Cabinet prior to adoption   by Full Council.

            RESOLVED that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 18.11(f),

            the meeting stand adjourned at 10.20 a.m. to be reconvened on this day at 10.30

            a.m.

The meeting reconvened at 10.30 a.m.