Issue - meetings

This report asks the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to note and approve the draft revised Statement of Licensing Policy and sets out the process and timetable for adoption.

The Committee received the report on the responses to the revised Gambling Policy consultation process, introduced by Joan Hancox and Daliah Barrett.

NOTED:

·                    The Gambling Policy – Statement of Licensing Principles – was required to be reviewed every three years and needed to be in place by the end of January 2013.

·                    There were a number of restrictions as to what could be included within the policy.  Problems with gambling and betting shops could not be legally incorporated.

·                    The Gambling Act 2005 did not allow for the community to get involved.  Planning and demand could also not be taken into consideration.

·                    The fees charge for gambling was set by the Government – LBH fees were set 10% below maximum, further work would need to be undertaken to see if these could be increased.

The Committee discussed why this report was presented at OSC, when there could be no influence over the content.  The Chair agreed to take advice from Legal Services to see why this is the proper route for the gambling policy.

ACTION: Chair