Issue - meetings

This report presents the consultation responses received in respect of the draft revised Statement of Gambling Policy and asks the Council to approve the Policy.

Background:

The report sought the Council’s approval of the Statement of Gambling Policy 2025 to 2028. It presented the consultation responses received in respect of the draft revised Gambling Policy: along with an evaluation of each response; a recommendation as to whether to amend the draft revised policy statement; and, if so, in what way and to what extent.

The report had been previously considered by the Licensing and Safety Committee on 6 August 2024, the Business Support and Digital Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 21 August 2024 and the Cabinet on 1 October 2024. The comments and decisions arising were set out in sections 6, 7 and 8 of the report, respectively.

The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Highways and Enforcement, Councillor Paterson, supported by Councillor McDonald, proposed the recommendations set out in the report.

Decisions:

a)    The Council noted the responses received during the consultation.

b)    The Council noted the comments made by the Licensing and Safety Committee on 6 August 2024 and the Business Support and Digital Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 21 August 2024 and the decisions of the Cabinet, as set out in sections 6, 7 and 8 of the report.

c)    The Council approved the Draft Statement of Gambling Policy 2025-2028, as set out in Appendix A to the report.

Background:

The report sought the Cabinet’s input in finalising the policy statement for publication and implementation subject to approval by Full Council. It presented the consultation responses received in respect of the draft revised Gambling Policy: along with an evaluation of each response; a recommendation as to whether to amend the draft revised policy statement; and, if so, in what way and to what extent.

The report had been previously considered by the Licensing and Safety Committee on 6 August 2024, and the Business Support and Digital Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 21 August 2024. Comments from those committees were set out in sections 7 and 8 of the report, respectively.

Reasons:

A Statement of Licensing Policy must be published every three years and before the authority carries out any function in respect of applications made under the 2005 Act, in compliance with Section 349 of the Gambling Act 2005.