Agenda and minutes

None.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 29 July 2024.

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 29 July 2024 be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

To receive the Review of Statement of Gambling Policy Report.

The Licensing & Night-Time Economy Manager presented the review of the Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy.

The Gambling Act 2005 regulated the provision of gambling in Great Britain and allocated responsibility for licensing these premises to the local authorities within their areas.  Gambling licensed establishments included bingo halls, bookmakers, amusement arcades and public houses with gaming machines.

It was a requirement that the Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy be reviewed on a three yearly basis and the Council’s most recent policy was last issued in January 2022.  The Policy set out the principles that the Council would apply when undertaking its role and responsibilities under the Act.

The Policy would have regard to the licensing objectives set out in the Act, namely:

· Preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being

   associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime;

· Ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way; and

· Protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or

   exploited by Gambling.

The revised Policy had been reviewed and prepared in accordance with the Gambling Policy Best Practice Guidance. 

If the revised Policy was not approved, the Council may risk being in breach of its obligations as Licensing Authority under the provision of the Gambling Act 2005.

The current number of licences issued under the Gambling Act 2005 by Telford & Wrekin Council was:

· 16 Betting Premises Licences

· 2 Bingo Premises Licences

· 2 Adult Gaming Centres

A consultation exercise on the revised Policy was undertaken between 22 July 2024 and 23 September 2024.  Details of the consultees were set out at Appendix A to the report. There had been no responses received from consultees during the consultation period.

The Policy supported the following Council policies:

· Everyone benefits from a thriving economy; and

· All neighbourhoods are a great place to live

If Members were minded to approve the Policy, the revised Policy would come into effect on 31 January 2025.

During the debate, some Members thanked Officers for the report and noted there were no proposed changes. In relation to enforcement, it was asked what was involved in product testing. A further question was raised in relation to how many times the local authority had needed to intervene and how many issues were out there. Other Members asked if there had been any enquiries over the last three years regarding the Policy itself.

The Licensing & Night-Time Economy Manager confirmed that there was a yearly inspection of licensed premises and full inspections had been undertaken approximately six weeks ago.  The Gambling Commission had proformas and templates for each of the different premises type with relevant criteria which were used to carry out the inspections.  Each of the premises had passed the inspection, although one premises did require some further investigation.  There had been low numbers of complaints in Telford and when individuals faced a problem they were signposted to GamCare.  In relation to issues with a premises, these could be reported to the Council or to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item LIC8