Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 27^th February 2018.

The minutes of the meeting held on 27 February 2018 were agreed by the members present and then signed by the Chairman.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor Douris and Mills.

A member with a disclosable pecuniary interest or a personal interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered –

(i)            must disclose the interest at the start of the meeting or when the interest becomes apparent

and, if the interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest, or a personal interest which is also prejudicial

(ii)            may not participate in any discussion or vote on the matter (and must withdraw to the public seating area) unless they have been granted a dispensation.

A member who discloses at a meeting a disclosable pecuniary interest which is not registered in the Members’ Register of Interests, or is not the subject of a pending notification, must notify the Monitoring Officer of the interest within 28 days of the disclosure.

Disclosable pecuniary interests, personal and prejudicial interests are defined in Part 2 of the Code of Conduct For Members

[If a member is in any doubt as to whether they have an interest which should be declared they should seek the advice of the Monitoring Officer before the start of the meeting]

There were no declarations of interest.

An opportunity for members of the public to make statements and ask questions in accordance with the rules on Public Participation.

There was no public participation.

N. March explained that the Act requires licensing authorities as a statutory requirement to carry out a review of the Policy every three years in order to reflect the current legislation.  The policy was last reviewed in 2015 and is due to be replaced in January 2019. There have been no problems during the last three years. 

The main change is the introduction of a formalised Local Area Profile document, and other clarifications are a clearer explanation of what is considered to constitute a ‘premises’, and also requirements regarding plans that need to be submitted with applications (page 17: 11.2 and 11.3 of the policy).

Other changes to the revised policy is under “Location of Premises” – Local Risk Assessments; this clarifies that risk assessments must be kept at the individual premises to which they relate (page 22: 13.4).

An 8-week consultation period is proposed and must go to the Police for the authority’s area, one or more persons who appear to the authority to represent the interests of persons carrying on gambling businesses in the authority’s area and one or more persons who appear to the authority to represent the interests of persons who are likely to be affected by the exercise of the authority’s functions under the Act.

The list of persons to be consulted provided by the Gambling Commission is deliberately wide encouraging a comprehensive consultation exercise with anyone who may be affected by or otherwise have an interest in the Council’s statement. As well as direct consultation with known interested parties, the draft revision of the document will also be made available on the Council’s website for any person to comment on.

Councillor Mrs Bassadone asked does everyone have to re-apply.  NM replied no, but the changes to the Policy could have an impact on them and they should therefore ensure that they are aware of the contents.

Councillor Whitman asked if the government’s new maximum stake of £2 would impact us.  NM explained that the limit just prevents people spending as quicklyas they have been able to previously on certain machines which does not affect the policy but is a positive change in terms of protecting vulnerable individuals in the community.  However, mobile gambling, which is the most accessible, cannot be regulated by DBC as DBC can only regulate premises in our area.

Resolved:

That the Licensing and Health and Safety Enforcement Committee unanimously agreed the recommendation;

That officers commence consultation with responsible authorities, representatives of licence-holders and other persons on the proposed revisions to the Statement of Principles under the Gambling Act 2005, and report the results to a future meeting of the Committee.