Meeting documents

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 26 January 2012 (previously circulated).

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 26 January 2012 be agreed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any declaration of personal or personal and prejudicial interest by Members relating to items on the agenda. If any Member is uncertain as to whether an interest should be disclosed, he or she is asked if possible to contact the District Solicitor prior to the meeting.

Members are reminded that if they are declaring an interest, whether personal or personal and prejudicial, then (subject to paragraph 14 of the Code of Conduct) they should state the nature of that interest whether or not they leave the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

The report considered by the Committee explained that the Council was required to produce and publish its Gambling Act 2005 Policy at least every 3 years. There was also a requirement that the Policy should be reviewed from time to time and that relevant authorities should be consulted as part of any policy review.

Members noted that during the time that the Council’s current Policy had been in force no issues had arisen and no changes were at present being proposed. This would mean that a consultation with the relevant authorities would take place with a view to continuing the existing arrangements.

During a period of questions and general discussion of gambling matters it was noted that there were currently no casinos and only one adult gaming centre operating in the District. Applications for ‘occasional use’ establishments were received from time to time, most usually in connection with point to point horse racing events.

The opportunity was taken to brief members of the Committee on the progress of legislative developments and it was noted that a range of changes were in the pipeline, some of which were expected to take effect from 6 April 2012. Formal government guidance, however, was still awaited. One of the changes expected to take place would give the Council, in its capacity as Licensing Authority, the additional function of responsible authority, enabling it to call for reviews of licences. New powers were also expected to be awarded to licensing authorities to suspend licences for non-payment of fees.

Mention was also made of the national arrangement permitting licensed premises to stay open for an extra hour in celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee weekend.

RESOLVED: That the draft review of the Gambling Act 2005 (the Act) Policy be approved for a consultation exercise as required by the Act.

Since 26 January 2012, no Licensing Panel Hearings have taken place. At the time of the publication of this agenda, a determination had just been set in motion.

It was noted that no Panel Hearings had taken place since the previous meeting.