Agenda item - Gambling Act 2005 - Revised Policy

Report of the Head of Planning and Public Protection (copy attached)

14.1    The Committee considered a report of the Head of Planning and Public Protection requesting that they agree the council’s updated Statement of Gambling Policy, for which there was a legal requirement for it to be reviewed and published every three years.

14.2         It was explained that The Gambling Act 2005 required Licensing Authorities to prepare, every three years, a statement (also known as a Policy) of the principles which they propose to apply when exercising their functions. The statement had to be published following the procedure set out in the Act, including whom should be consulted. That consultation process had commenced on 16 July 2012 and had lasted 12 weeks. The existing Statement of Gambling Policy had been sent to consultees and had been made was available on the council’s website.

14.3    Eight responses had been received, including responses from Sussex Police, the Racecourse Association, Brighton Racecourse, the National Casino Industry Forum, a medical practitioner, The Quakers Society, Sussex Deaf Association and The Campaign for Fair Gambling. The responses had been evaluated and all respondents had been in favour of them as framed. No proposals had been made for any changes and it was therefore proposed to maintain the council’s existing policy as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

14.4    Councillor Hawtree stated that he was concerned regarding the number of betting shops located across the city having observed that there were several in the George Street area of Hove, a new premises having opened recently in close proximity to those which were already in existence. The Licensing Manager, Mrs Cranford stated that the number of premises across the city varied between, 90-100 and that this figure was fairly constant. The Head of Regulatory Services, Mr Nichols stated that in some parts of the country problems had arisen where takeaways, off licences and gambling establishments were located in close proximity to one another. However, such problems had not been experienced in Brighton and Hove and in consequence the Policy itself was concise and had recognised this issue, however, any future policy review should, if necessary, address emerging situations where gambling becomes a source of disorder.

14.5    Councillor Simson enquired regarding the process to be observed when a premises applied for a betting shop licence. The Head of Regulatory Service, Mr Nichols explained that there was a consultation process and that included consultation within the local community where a premises was to be located. However such premises attracted very few objections. In the past these had been from other gambling premises licence holders and on one occasion the Gambling Commission.

14.7    RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND - That the Committee agrees that the final version of the Statement of Gambling Policy (included with the report appended hereto) be referred to Full Council for adoption.