Issue - meetings

To consider the draft Gambling Policy (Statement of Principles) prior to it being issued for consultation (report of the Assistant Director - Regulatory enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Regulatory which sought consideration of the draft Gambling Policy (Statement of Principles) prior to it being issued for consultation.

The Public Protection Manager introduced the policy:

·         The policy was required to be reviewed published every three years and it related to premises licences for gambling activities as operators themselves were licenced by the Gambling Commission.

·         The only change presented within the draft policy was the statistical information regarding the population and the number of licences in operation within the district.

·         The policy was legally required to be in place before the end of January 2025 and it was noted that the next meeting of the Committee of the Licensing Authority fell after this date. It was suggested that if members were comfortable, the policy could be sent straight to Full Council for final approval in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Committee of the Licensing Authority, following the end of the consultation period for the policy. 

Members made the following comments:

• Members were comfortable with the approach laid out by the Public Protection Manager for the policy’s final approval, should no significant consultation responses be received.
• Members asked how the policy compared to those of Boston Borough Council and East Lindsey District Council.
  • Officers confirmed that the Gambling Act 2005 and associated guidance were very prescriptive and therefore the policies were very similar.
• Members queried the figures quoted within the policy in relation to club gaming permits.
  • Officers responded that club gaming permits applied to members only clubs. If the premises also hired out their venue for public use under a premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003, the gaming machines would be included under the ‘Alcohol licensed premises providing two or less gaming machines’ total in the table.

AGREED:

That the Committee of the Licensing Authority approves the draft policy for consultation.