Agenda item

To receive the report of the Head of Public Protection concerning the outcome of a consultation exercise undertaken with stakeholders in relation to the 2016-2019 Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles and seeking formal approval and adoption by Council.

43.1       Council considered a report of the Head of Public Protection concerning the outcome of a consultation exercise undertaken with stakeholders in relation to the 2016-2019 Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles and seeking formal approval and adoption by Council.

43.2       Councillor Randle (Chair of the Licensing and Enforcement Committee) moved the recommendations set out in the report and summarised the consultation responses received. She noted that it was not possible to include membership of City Safe as a condition for granting gambling licences, but that it had been included as a recommendation in the Statement of Principles.

43.3       Councillor Patel (Vice Chair of the Licensing and Enforcement Committee) seconded the motion.

43.4       Councillor Pullen stated that the Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) implications within the report were irrelevant as the Council was fulfilling its statutory duty to consult upon and adopt a Statement of Principles.

43.5       Councillor Haigh highlighted concerns that the legislation did not give local authorities adequate powers to deal with the proliferation of high stakes fixed odds betting terminals, which presented a significant issue for vulnerable residents. She stated that appropriate secondary legislation should be enacted.

43.6       Councillor Dallimore (Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods) advised that all reports now contained a section on ABCD and, while it may be less relevant in some reports, it was important to note that the views of residents had been sought. She stated that the Council took its duty to protect vulnerable residents seriously, but explained that research had not demonstrated any causal link between fixed odds betting terminals and gambling problems; however, the relevant responsible bodies were monitoring the matter and secondary legislation could be brought in if it became necessary.

43.7       RESOLVED - That the Statement of Principles 2016-2019 – Gambling Act 2005 as set out in Appendix 1 be adopted and that the Head of Public Protection be authorised to publish and advertise it.