Issue - meetings

Environmental Services and Sustainability Portfolio

To consider report HCS/14 of the Head of Community Services which was referred to the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission held on 24 June 2019.

The Cabinet Member for Public Protection and Community Engagement presented report HCS/14 of the Head of Community Services which set out the requirement that every 3 years the Council was to review Crawley Borough Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy as pertains to Gambling Act 2005 (“Statement of Licensing Policy”).

The report requested authorisation to conduct the statutory consultation on the proposed revision of the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy.

Councillor Rana presented the Overview and Scrutiny Commission’s comments on the report to the Cabinet following consideration of the matter at its meeting on 24 June 2019, which was noted by the Cabinet.

Councillor Mullins spoke on report.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet authorises the Head of Community Services to conduct the statutory consultation process in respect of the proposed revised Statement of Licensing Policy at Appendix A of report HCS/14.

(Generic Delegation 5 will be used to enact this recommendation)

Reasons for the Recommendations

To agree and develop the proposed strategy to discharge the Council’s role in its capacity of Licensing Authority for the 3 year period 2020 – 2022.

To ensure our policy is revised for the coming 3 years as required by section 349 of the Gambling Act 2005 and that this is done in accordance with procedures compliant with statutory guidance regarding consultation.

To consider report HCS/14 of the Head of Community Services.

The Commission considered report HCS/14 of the Head of Community Services. The report requested authorisation to conduct statutory consultation before seeking formal approval for adoption of the revised policy later in the year.

            During the discussion with the Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Sustainability and the Environmental Health Manager, the following points were expressed:

·         Recognition that the local authority was responsible for the issuing of licences for premises that are covered under the Gambling Act 2005.  Licences for operators and game types, together with controls concerning gambling machines were the responsibility of the Gambling Commission. 

·         The proposed revised Statement of Licensing Policy Gambling Act 2005 did not take into account on-line gambling as this was the responsibility of the Gambling Commission. However there had been consultation and lobbying within this area.

·         Acknowledgement that there were minor changes to the policy.

·         Explanation sought and obtained as to representations that may be considered frivolous, vexatious or irrelevant.

·         It was noted that changes had been made in terms of gambling and “player protection”, for instance fixed odds betting terminals maximum stake being reduced to £2.  There was support for further work, particularly surrounding sports advertising and assisting young people.

·         Officers were commended for their work in responding to consultations.

RESOLVED

            That Commission agreed the recommendations to the Cabinet.