Meeting documents

To consider the Draft Review of Gambling Act 2005 Policy.

Members considered the report of the Draft Review of the Gambling Act 2005 Policy and noted that the policy did not take up much time within the District but was it was a requirement that a policy be produced. It was also noted that the Gambling Policy was required to be reviewed and re-consulted on every three years and that it had been three years since the last review and consultation. The amendments were noted through tracked changes within the document before the Committee and if the report were approved then a twelve week consultation would be undertaken to statutory bodies and interested parties although historically very few comments had been received, The finalised report would then be brought before the Committee at the next meeting for their approval which would then subsequently be taken before full Council for approval as there was a legal requirement to publish the Policy by the end of 2018.

Members noted specifically Section 2.4 – Local Area Profile and noted that it was an assessment of the local environment which identified key characteristics of the local area. Officers had researched other areas of the country and reported that there very many different variations of this particular part of the policy; some authorities went into a lot of detail whereas others used a one-liner. It was noted that Officer’s had included a map of known anti-social behaviour within High Wycombe Town Centre, it being the main urban hub within the licensing district. It was also noted that only national chain gambling establishments were located within the District and, as a general rule, they tended to keep their own houses in order.

Members noted that the second change was within 2.5 – Local Risk Assessment and included matters such as expecting operators to take all matters into account when undertaking their Risk Assessments.  It was noted that an inspection by a WDC Licensing Officer, in the presence of Mr Reynolds, the local Gambling Commission Compliance Officer, had been undertaken recently at a national chain gambling establishment that a Risk Assessment could not be produced at the time, but following a letter from the Licensing Officer, the Risk Assessment was produced.

In response to questions it was confirmed that the whole District constituted the Local Area in reference to 2.4 although it was noted that the only recognised problem area was High Wycombe town centre. It was also confirmed that there was no limit as to the number licenses for gambling shops an authority could issue.

It was also confirmed that each establishment was required to carry out its own Risk Assessment as each assessment was relevant to those particular premises and that WDC Licensing Officers had rights to enter establishments for inspection at any time. It was confirmed that the inspection referred to above had been an unannounced inspection.

It was confirmed that many licenses currently in operation had been issued in 2007 and since then only four additional licenses had been issued the last of which was four years ago.

With these changes agreed the Committee voted unanimously to approve the draft policy for the purposes of a consultation exercise.

          RESOLVED: that the draft policy be subjected to a consultation exercise.