The Council considered the report of the Head of Paid Service and Corporate Director Communities, Localities and Culture on the review of the Gambling Policy.

Councillor Anwar Khan moved and Councillor Ann Jackson seconded an amendment to the recommendations to the report:

“To add to the report recommendations section:

That the Council note:

• That the Sustainable Communities Act allows councils to put forward proposals to Government for their consideration.

• That Mayor Jules Pipe of Hackney has written to borough leaders asking their support for a proposal to re-establish a specific planning class for betting shops which would allow local authorities greater opportunity to shape their high streets in accordance with the wishes of local residents.

• Currently the London boroughs of Hackney, Barking and Dagenham, Brent, Camden, Greenwich, Haringey, Islington, Lambeth, Newham, Redbridge, Southwark, Sutton, Waltham Forest and Westminster have already signed up to support this joint proposal.

• Were this proposal enacted the Council would be granted additional powers to protect against the proliferation of gambling establishments which could damage the economic viability of our high streets by restricting the available retail space.

• That legislation also allows Council’s to adopt ‘no casino’ policies as part of their policy frameworks

This Council resolves:

• To call upon the Mayor to support Mayor Pipe’s initiative and to sign the Council up to joint application under the Sustainable Communities Act

• To call upon the Mayor to conduct a review of evidence on the social and economic impact of casinos as well as a consultation on whether to adopt a ban as part of the Licensing Policy review currently underway.

Following debate, the amendment was put to the vote and was agreed.

The recommendations in the report, as amended, were then put to the vote and were agreed.  Accordingly it was

RESOLVED

1.         To agree the proposed Gambling Policy for adoption.

2.         That the Council note:

·         That the Sustainable Communities Act allows councils to put forward proposals to Government for their consideration.

·         That Mayor Jules Pipe of Hackney has written to borough leaders asking their support for a proposal to re-establish a specific planning class for betting shops which would allow local authorities greater opportunity to shape their high streets in accordance with the wishes of local residents.

·         Currently the London boroughs of Hackney, Barking and Dagenham, Brent, Camden, Greenwich, Haringey, Islington, Lambeth, Newham, Redbridge, Southwark, Sutton, Waltham Forest and Westminster have already signed up to support this joint proposal.

·         Were this proposal enacted the Council would be granted additional powers to protect against the proliferation of gambling establishments which could damage the economic viability of our high streets by restricting the available retail space.

·         That legislation also allows Council’s to adopt ‘no casino’ policies as part of their policy frameworks

3.         This Council resolves:

·         To call upon the Mayor to support Mayor Pipe’s initiative and to sign the Council up to joint application under the Sustainable Communities Act

·         To call upon the Mayor to conduct a review of evidence on the social and economic  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9

DECISION

1.         To consider the proposed Gambling Policy and agree that it may go forward to full council for adoption.

2.         To note that it is intended to present the Gambling Policy to Full Council on the 17^th April 2013.

3.         To recommend that Full Council approve the Gambling Policy.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITIES, LOCALITIES AND CULTURE (S. HALSEY)

(Head of Consumer and Business Regulation, D. Tolley)

Councillor Ohid Ahmed, the Deputy Mayor, introduced the report. He explained that the Gambling Policy had been out to review and was now being presented for agreement before being submitted to Council for adoption. He noted that the impact of gambling was a big concern to councillors. He reported that he had been to parliament to lobby MPs and Lords about his concerns.

During discussion a number of Cabinet Members raised concerns about the impact of gambling on residents in the borough including:

·         The impact on families when one member had a gambling addiction including the potential for violence.

·         The limited powers that Councils had to control gambling.

·         The need to examine best practice at other councils in determining the best approach.

·         Whether there could be a community campaign to raise awareness of the issues.

·         The Council should look to try and maintain a ‘no casinos’ policy.

The Mayor thanked all those who had contributed to the debate. He agreed with the concerns expressed and he asked officers to urgently seek to develop a ‘no Casinos’ policy and to report back to Cabinet at the earliest opportunity on the proposals. He then approved the recommendations set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1.         To consider the proposed Gambling Policy and agree that it may go forward to full council for adoption.

2.         To note that it is intended to present the Gambling Policy to Full Council on the 17^th April 2013.

3.         To recommend that Full Council approve the Gambling Policy.