Subject:

Licensing Committee (Licensing Act 2003 Functions) : Gambling Policy 2022 24 (as revised)

 - Extract from the proceedings of the Licensing Committee (Licensing Act 2003) meeting held on 14 October 2021

Date of Meeting:

16 December 2021

Report of:

Executive Lead Officer for Strategy, Governance & Law

Contact Officer:

Name:

Penny Jennings

Tel:

01273 291065

 

E-mail:

penny.jennings@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Wards Affected:

All

 

 

For General release

 

           

Action Required of the Council:

To receive the recommendations of the Licensing Committee for consideration.

Recommendations:

That Council accepts the final version of the Statement of Licensing Policy as presented to it be agreed for adoption.


 

Brighton & Hove City Council

 

LICENSING COMMITTEE (LICENSING ACT 2003 FUNCTIONS)

 

4.00.pm

(at the conclusion of the preceding Non-Licensing Act Committee Meeting)

 

14 October 2021

 

meeting

 

MINUTES

 

Present:   Councillors Deane (Chair), Davis (Deputy Chair), Henry, (Opposition Spokesperson) Simson (Conservative Group Spokesperson), Bagaeen, Ebel, Healey, Moonan and O’Quinn.

 

Apologies were received from: Councillors Appich, Knight, Lewry, Phillips Rainey and Theobald. Councillors Shanks and Hills attended in substitution for Councillors Phillips and Rainey respectively.

 

 

PART ONE

 

 

19.      GAMBLING POLICY 2022-24 (AS REVISED)

 

19.1    The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director of Housing, Neighbourhoods and Communities requesting that the Committee consider and approve the Gambling Policy 2022-24 (as revised).

 

19.2    It was noted that it was a requirement the Gambling Act 2005 required Licensing Authorities to prepare a Statement (also known as a Policy) every three years setting out the principles which were applied when exercising their functions. Licensing Authorities were required to publish the statement following the procedure set out in the Act, including whom they should consult. Brighton and Hove’s gambling policies and practices had been highlighted by the Gambling Commission as examples of good practice, in particular the work and links developed with Public Health to tackle gambling related harm.

 

19.3    At its meeting on 24 June 2021, the Committee had received a report and had authorised officers to initiate consultation regarding a review of the council’s revised Gambling Policy arose already been subject to a comprehensive review in 2016 and a further review in 2019 when further changes had been made which had included increasing awareness of mental health issues. The issues which arose as a result of addiction to gambling and the impact it had on individuals and their families could not be underestimated. This council’ policy was robust and she was happy to support it.

 

19.5    The Chair, Councillor Deane, referred to the incidence of on-line gambling and it was confirmed in answer to questions that available data indicated that this had increased during the pandemic and was in agreement with Councillor Simson that against that backdrop it was even more important that the council’s policy was rigorous.

 

19.6    The Members present voted unanimously in support of the report recommendations.

 

19.7    RESOLVED: That Members of the Licensing Committee (Licensing Act 2003 Functions) agree to refer the final version of the Statement of Gambling Policy 2022-24 to Full Council for adoption (Appendix 1); and

 

            RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL That Council accepts the final version of the Statement of Licensing Policy as presented to it be agreed for adoption.