Issue - meetings

[Report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Planning, Licensing and Housing Services]

The Cabinet Member for Planning, Licensing and Housing Services introduced the report which sought approval of the Statement of Gambling Policy, and to recommend the adoption of the Statement of Gambling Policy to Full Council.  The Gambling Policy was a policy framework document which required revision, consultation and adoption every three years, under Section 349 of the Gambling Act 2005.

The Cabinet Member for Health, Social-Care and Wellbeing added that the Public Health team were creating a programme of work to address gambling related harm, focusing on co-production of the programme with the community, specifically with young people.  This would be an important piece of work given the concerns around gambling and gambling addiction in the borough.

In response to a question from Councillor Cawley-Harrison, it was explained that Harringay ward had been added to the list of vulnerable areas due to the number of betting shops in the ward and the need to improve the deprivation indices.

RESOLVED to

1.         Approve the Statement of Gambling Policy in Appendix 1, taking into account the outcome of the consultation on the draft Statement of Gambling Policy set out in paragraph 8.3 of the report and the Equality Impact Assessment screening tool set out in Appendix 3; and 

 2.        Agree a no casino resolution.

3.         Recommend to Full Council that the Statement of Gambling Policy be adopted.

4.         Note the supplementary guidance containing the local area profile information at Appendix 2;

Reasons for decision

The Council is obliged to review and adopt a Statement of Licensing Policy for Gambling every three years.  The current policy is due to expire in January 2022. Therefore, a new policy has to be adopted.

Alternative options considered

No alternatives were considered. It is a legislative requirement that the policy be reviewed at least every three years, and that a public consultation is carried out. Failure to review and adopt the Statement of Gambling Policy would result in the Council failing to comply with legislation.