To receive the report of the Chief Executive and Acting Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture, proposing the adoption of a Gambling Policy for 2016/19.

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive and Acting Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture, proposing the adoption of a Gambling Policy for 2016/19.

DECISION

1.            That the revised Gambling Policy be adopted.

(Action by: Will Tuckley, Chief Executive and Acting Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture).

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive and Acting

Corporate Director – Communities, Localities and Culture submitting the proposed Gambling Policy 2016-19 for approval.

The recommendation set out in the report was put to the vote and was agreed. Accordingly it was:

RESOLVED

1.    That the Council agree the adoption of the revised Gambling Policy.

Note – as a Budget and Policy Framework item, Paragraph 16.4.6 of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules exclude this item from the Call-In Process.

DECISION

1.    To recommend to Full Council the adoption of the revised Gambling Policy.

Action by:

CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, COMMUNITIES, LOCALITIES AND CULTURE (W. TUCKLEY)

(Head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards (D. Tolley)

Councillor Shiria Khatun, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Community Safety, introduced the report on the Gambling Policy for 2016/19. She highlighted that this was a statutory policy and would be presented to Council for final approval. The policy was generally considered fit for purpose but had received updates in relation to statutory changes.

During discussion of the report it was noted that the issue of fixed odds betting terminals was being actively considered and that Councils in London were asking the government to look at this issue again.

The Mayor welcomed the report and noted his support for efforts to tackle fixed odds betting terminals and also his concern on overseas based online gambling. He agreed the recommendation as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To recommend to Full Council the adoption of the revised Gambling Policy.

The Committee noted that as a Licensing Authority the Council must review the existing Gambling Policy and adopt a new policy by November 2016, as one of the responsibilities it has to administer ‘high street’ licences under the Gambling Act 2005. The purpose of the policy is to define how the responsibilities under the Act are going to be exercised and administered. This is highly prescribed and limited by statute and subject to agreement the Policy will be presented Cabinet and then to Full Council for adoption under the provisions set out by the Council’s Constitution.

Accordingly, the policy is before the Committee for comment and the main points of the discussion may be summarised as follows:

·         Noted with regards to gambling LBTH are monitoring the age of those persons going into local betting shops through test purchases;

·         Noted that work is being undertaken with health colleagues to addresses the causes and implications of gambling (Inc online) on local residents.  Accordingly, the Committee asked for a briefing paper on what support was available locally for residents;

·         Noted that a licence is required to operate a Fruit Machine on a premises’ e.g. In convenience stores and newsagents;

·         Noted that the Bishop of St. Albans is intending to put forward a private members bill on this issue; and

·         Noted that the CSP are mindful also of the links between DV and gambling.

As a result of discussions on the above the Chair Moved and it was:-

RESOLVED to note the report and the points raised above.