Agenda item

Report of the Group Director of Services

The Group Director of Services submitted a report (previously circulated) requesting that consideration be given to the approval of the final draft of the Council’s Statement of Principles to the Gambling Act 2005 (Gambling Policy), which is due to take effect from 1 January 2022.

The submitted report stated that the Gambling Act required the Council Gambling Policy to be updated on a three-year cycle, and that a revised draft of the Gambling Policy had been produced taking into account legislation changes introduced since the last policy was adopted. It was stated that the final draft had been consulted upon with key stakeholders, and also made publicly available for comment. The final draft, which took into consideration the comments received, was attached at Appendix 1, with a summary of changes included in the new policy outlined at Appendix 2.

The submitted report highlighted that the final draft had received endorsement from the Licensing Committee at its meeting of 2 November 2021.

RESOLVED – That the revised Gambling Policy be approved, and that it becomes effective from 1 January 2022.

REASONS - (a) To ensure standards are maintained to protect the public, in particular children and vulnerable adults.

(b) To provide an enforcement framework that takes into account guidance issued by the Gambling Commission.