Issue - meetings

This report presents Members with the consultation responses received in respect of the draft revised Gambling Policy. The report includes an evaluation of each response and gives a recommendation as to whether or not to amend the draft revised policy statement and, if so, in what way and to what extent. Members’ input is sought in finalising the policy statement for publication and implementation subject to approval by Full Council.

The report has previously been considered by the Licensing and Safety Committee on 13 July 2021, by the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 19 August 2021 and by the Cabinet on 28 September 2021.

Background:

This report asked the Council to approve the Statement of Gambling Policy 2022 – 2025.

The report included the consultation responses received in respect of the draft revised Policy as well as an evaluation of each response and a recommendation as to whether or not to amend the draft revised policy statement and, if so, in what way and to what extent.

The report had previously been considered by the Licensing and Safety Committee on 13 July 2021, the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 19 August 2021 and by the Cabinet on 28 September 2021. These comments and decisions were set out in sections 5, 6 and 7 of report respectively. 

The Portfolio Holder for Planning, Economic Growth and Regulation, Councillor Chitty, supported by the Portfolio Holder for Resources Councillor Gulvin, proposed the recommendations set out in the report.

Decision:

a)    The Council noted the responses to the consultation as attached at Appendix 2 to the report and officers’ proposed amendments to the policy document as set out in paragraph 3 of the report.

b)    The Council noted the comments of the Licensing and Safety Committee, the comments of the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Cabinet decision, as set out in sections 5, 6 and 7 of the report.

c)    The Council approved the draft Medway Statement of Gambling Policy 2022-2025, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

Background:

This report presented the Cabinet with the consultation responses received in respect of the draft revised Gambling Policy. The report included an evaluation of each response and provided a recommendation as to whether or not to amend the draft revised policy statement and, if so, in what way and to what extent.

The report had previously been considered by the Licensing and Safety Committee on 13 July 2021 and by the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 19 August 2021 and their comments were set out in sections 5 and 6 respectively. 

Following Cabinet, the Policy, attached at Appendix 1 to the report, would then be reported to full Council for approval.

Reasons:

The Statement of Gambling Policy sets out how the Council will regulate licensable activities, as required by the Gambling Act 2005.