Issue - meetings

Members gave consideration to a report which updated them on the recent review of the Council’s Gambling Policy and sought their views on the suggested amendments required prior to Council approval. The policy was largely concerned with the regulation of businesses and included a section concerning gambling-related harm.

The Committee was informed that the current policy was adopted in January 2016 and had to be reviewed every 3 years. The policy at Appendix 1 proposed amendments since it had last been approved. Most gambling policies issued by Councils would use the same template issued by the Local Government Association as it was based on best practice and ensured a

consistent approach nationally.

The majority of alterations to the policy since the one adopted in December 2015 were tidying up changes to references from national guidance and making certain points clearer.

A section had been included in the proposed Policy in relation to gambling related harm, following a motion debated at Council on 12th July 2018. The main resolution from the Council motion was to ensure that information was displayed on the Council website to ‘signpost’ residents with a gambling ‘problem’ to the providers of relevant services, such as GambleAware, to support them with their addiction. In addition, the Council requested that all schools, colleges and youth centres in the Borough were made aware of the Gambling Toolkit produced by GambleAware, which was available online. It was also resolved that the Council’s Gambling Policy would reflect any

recommendations that resulted from the work done to achieve these outcomes by the time of its renewal in January 2019.

Members were informed that the work undertaken by Officers in licensing and public health had shown the Council’s commitment to support those who are suffering or likely to suffer from the effects of gambling, and detailed areas of help and support whilst recognising that there was a problem.

Members noted that the proposed policy would be considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Board on the 27th November, prior to moving forward for approval to December Council.

Members sought and received clarification/commented on the

following points:

·         Was there anything in the policy that prevented over-gambling – there was nothing that could force businesses to take action as this was dependent on the gambling provider acting with social responsibility.

·         Was there a link with Planning to restrict the number of betting offices – there had been a push to limit numbers on the high street, however the Planning and Licensing functions had to sit separately. The government had decided against merging them

RESOLVED that the policy be noted and commended to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and to Council for approval.