Agenda and minutes

None were received.

Members are asked to declare any interests they may have in the business on the agenda.

Councillor Kitterick declared an Other Disclosable Interest related to  Gambling Act 2005 Review of Policy and chose not to participate for the item.  

Councillor Kennedy-Lount declared he had an online gambling account.

The minutes of the meeting held on 30^th April 2024 have been circulated and the Committee will be asked to confirm them as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

that the minutes of the meeting held on 30^th April 2024 be approved as a correct record.

The Monitoring Officer to report on the receipt of any petitions submitted in accordance with the Council’s procedures.

The Monitoring Officer reported that no petitions had been submitted in accordance with the Council’s procedures.

The Monitoring Officer to report on the receipt of any questions, representations and statements of case submitted in accordance with the Council’s procedures.

The Monitoring Officer reported that no questions, representations and statements of case had been submitted in accordance with the Council’s procedures.

The Director of Neighbourhood and Enviromental Services submits a report to the Committee on the Gambling Act 2005 review of Policy.

Members are asked to note the contents of the report and comment on the policy before it goes to Full Council on 21^st November 2024 for approval.

The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submits a report on a review of policy, for the Gambling Act 2005.

The Licensing Manager presented the report, it was noted that:

·       The Gambling Act 2005 came into effect in 2007. As Licensing Authority, Leicester City Council was required to publish its Gambling Policy for 2025-2028 no later than 3rd January 2025.

·       The current policy had not caused any problems since it came into effect in February 2022. However slight amendments had been made to reflect address changes for the Licensing Authority and a new section had been added to include information from the Public Health Team and their findings in their recent ‘Gambling Harms Needs Assessment’. Applicants were asked to take this into account when submitting their applications.

·       The consultation was available online via the Councils’ Consultation Hub. The link for which had been circulated by email and post to all existing licence holders and stakeholders including industry representatives

·       The consultation had taken place between 12th July 2024 and 18th August 2024.

·       23 responses to the consultation had been received.

In discussions with Members it was noted that:

·       More engagement needed to be made with Faith Groups. Responses had been received from Churches with permits.

·       Very few premises in Leicester have a gambling profile, compared to other Local Authorities.

·       It was expected that the Gambling Authority would rewrite their guidance to protect areas from disturbance from 24 hour gambling premises and alcohol use. This would be similar to the Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ) guidance.  

RESOLVED:

1.     That Members note the content of the report.

2.     For the Licensing Team to engage with the Council of Faiths to reach out to their Members for future consultations.

3.     A report on the Gambling Commission to come to a future meeting.

Members would like the option of holding remote Licensing Hearings to be discussed at the next meeting.

With there being no further business, the meeting closed at 5.32pm.