Cabinet Report |
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Report of Head of Housing and Environment Author: Laura Driscoll E-mail: laura.driscoll@southandvale.gov.uk Wards affected: all |
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Cabinet member responsible: Helen Pighills Tel: 01235 534446 Date: 3 December 2021 |
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2. The relevant strategic objectives are ‘Working in an open and inclusive way’ and ‘Building Healthy Communities’. The policy will also ensure the council is meeting its statutory responsibilities.
4. The proposed new policy is attached at Appendix A.
5. A summary of changes that were made prior to the consultation, and an explanation of the reasons for the changes, can be found at Appendix B.
Consultation results
6. The consultation ran from 13 July 2021 to 10 August 2021. It was a public consultation, and in addition was sent to:
· All the responsible authorities as defined in the Gambling Act 2005
· Town and Parish Councils
· Licence holders
· Trade bodies, associations and representatives
· Gamcare, Gamble Aware and Gamblers Anonymous (UK)
· Trading Standards
· Public Health
· Community organisations such as the Samaritans, Citizens Advice, and the Wantage Independent Advice Centre
8. There is no reason, from the consultation responses, not to recommend the adoption of the Joint Statement of Gambling Policy to take effect from 31 January 2022. The policy will next be due for review by 31 January 2025.
9. The Licensing Acts Committee considered the Joint Gambling Policy on 21 October 2021 and decided to recommend Cabinet to recommend Council on 8 December 2021 to adopt the policy and to authorise the Head of Housing and Environment to make minor editorial changes and to publish the policy as required by regulations.
10. The Gambling Act 2005 specifically excludes the Cabinet from decisions on whether to have a “no casinos” resolution in the policy. Whilst this is a decision for Council, any application to open a casino would first require an amendment of The Gambling (Geographical Distribution of Large and Small Casino Premises Licences) Order 2008 by the Secretary of State. At present there are 53 licensing authorities that were designated in 1969 as ‘permitted areas’ entitled to have a casino (including Reading). In addition, 15 licensing authority areas were selected following open competition to issue new large and small casino premises licences under the Gambling Act 2005.
11. In all other respects, it is the role of the Cabinet to recommend the Gambling Policy to Council for adoption and to authorise the Head of Housing and Environment to make minor editorial changes and to publish the policy as required by regulations.
Implementation
12. Once the Council has adopted a new gambling policy it must publish a notice of intention to adopt the new policy four weeks before the new policy comes into force.
13. There are no anticipated climate and ecological implications arising from the adoption of the proposed policy.
14.There are no anticipated financial implications arising from the adoption of the proposed policy.
16. Failure to properly consider the policy could result in the councils not complying with the legislation or statutory guidance. Having a clear policy helps to ensure that licensing decisions are fair, consistent and comply with the legislation.
17. There are no other implications.
18. Cabinet is recommended to consider the outcome of the consultation and recommend Council to:
(a) adopt the proposed Joint Gambling Policy
(b) authorise the Head of Housing and Environment to make minor editorial changes to the Joint Gambling Policy.
(c) authorise the Head of Housing and Environment to publish the Joint Gambling Policy in accordance with the Gambling Act 2005 (Licensing Authority Policy Statement) (England and Wales) Regulations 2006.
· Appendix A – Proposed Joint Statement of Gambling Policy
· Appendix B – Summary of changes
· Appendix C – Report on results of consultation