Decision details

The Committee agreed, at its meeting on 10 June 2019, to provide a collective response as part of the consultation on the Review of the Statement of Licensing Policy Gambling Act 2005 (2020-2022), as detailed in report HCS/17 by the Head of Community Services.

The report was summarised by the Environmental Health and Licensing Manager, who explained that the Statement of Licensing Policy Gambling Act 2005 was a Policy Framework Document, and thus was subject to public consultation before being considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Commission and later submitted to the Cabinet and Full Council in December 2019 for final approval and adoption. It was highlighted to the Committee that Section 349 of the Act requires the Council to have a comprehensive policy, and that revisions were to be made every three years in accordance with statutory guidance. The key changes to the Policy (summarised in Appendix B of report HCS/17) were also explained, including clarifications within the wording, and the addition of information regarding General Data Protection Regulations – reflecting changes in national legislation since the previous review. It was also noted that national legislation regarding the reduction of stakes for fixed odds betting terminals to £2.00 has been passed.

In considering their collective response, Members of the Committee expressed praise regarding the detailed standards concerning the protection of children from harm or exploitation by gambling, as found in section 4.2 of the Policy. Concerns were raised regarding the challenges of regulating the involvement of children in online gambling, to which the Environmental Health and Licensing Manager confirmed that online gambling is regulated nationally, and that the Gambling Commission is moving towards producing further regulations on this matter.

With no further comments the Chair, supported by the Committee, expressed approval regarding the review of fixed odds betting terminals legislation, noting the Council’s historical involvement in calling on the Minister to request changes be made to the law. The Chair also welcomed the revisions made to the Policy and noted that opportunities to review and update it will continue to occur in the future.

The Committee expressed general agreement towards the revised Policy and gratitude to the officers responsible, and unanimously endorsed the changes.

RESOLVED

That the Committee endorses the draft Review of the Statement of Licensing Policy Gambling Act 2005 (2020-2022) and that this endorsement be submitted as their collective response to the consultation.