Issue - meetings

To receive the report of the Principal Licensing Officer in respect of the Gambling Act 2005 – Gambling Policy and Casino Resolution.

RECEIVED the report of the Principal Licensing Officer.

NOTED

1.    Introduction by Ellie Green (Principal Licensing Officer) that this report was presented to Licensing Committee as part of the formal approval of the Council’s licensing policy Gambling Act 2005.

2.    This was the fifth edition of the statement, which must legally be published every three years.

3.    The authority’s position remained strong in respect of a resolution not to issue casino premises licences.

4.    The local area profile alongside the policy was highlighted and that updates could be done more frequently and efficiently.

5.    The public consultation had received no unexpected comments. Where possible the comments had been included. Annex 3 of the report showed the responses. Matters regarding cumulative impact and online gambling were not in the Council’s remit to consider. Consideration may only be given to the three licensing objectives set by the Gambling Act 2005. Consideration of the cumulative impact of betting shops was prohibited by the Gambling Act. Enfield’s records showed that the number of betting shops in the borough had varied between 80 and 73 and the current actual number was 77, so there had been no surge in shops opening at any one time.

6.    Discussions were ongoing, for example the campaign in relation to fixed odds terminals. There had been mention of introducing cumulative impact and additional licensing objectives but at the moment the scope for changing the Council’s policy was limited.

7.    Members welcomed the engagement, and the responses received during the consultation period, and observed that the maps and correlations were interesting and useful.

8.    Members supported not issuing casino premises licences.

AGREED to

1.    note the results of the public consultation and amendments made to the proposed Statement of Principles, under the Gambling Act 2005;

2.    approve the Statement of Principles, under the Gambling Act 2005, attached as Appendix 1 of the report;

3.    resolve not to issue casino premises licences, under the Gambling Act 2005.