Decision Maker: Cabinet
Decision status: For Determination
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: Yes
STOCKTON-ON-TEES BOROUGH COUNCIL
CABINET DECISION
PROFORMA
Cabinet Meeting ........................................................................ 16 January 2025
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Title of Item/Report
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Review of the Statement of Principles for Gambling Premises in Stockton-on-Tees
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Record of the Decision
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Consideration was given to a report on the Review of the Statement of Principles for Gambling Premises in Stockton-on-Tees.
The Authority was required, by the Gambling Act 2005, to publish a Statement of Principles (policy) that it proposed to apply when exercising its functions under the Act. This policy must be published every three years.
Gambling was regulated in two ways, the Gambling Commission regulated the individuals who provide gambling, carrying out a fit and proper test on licensed operators. The Local Authority issue premise licences to those operators ensuring the premises where gambling was carried out meets legislation and guidance.
Gambling had changed in recent years, traditional methods such as betting shops were being replaced with online gambling. The Gambling Commission regulated online gambling. The number of betting shop premises had reduced by 17 over the past 9 years. The main source of statistical data on gambling was from the Gambling Commission website, further information was attached to the report.
As well as the Gambling Act 2005, the Gambling Commission Guidance for Local Authorities detailed how the local authority should exercise its functions when licensing premises for gambling.
There had been no legislative changes since 2022, as such there had been no material changes to the current policy. The policy has had a refresh regarding look, ease of use and updated information about the Borough, gambling participation and gambling harms, and a copy of the draft was made available to Members.
The draft policy was published for a four-week public consultation. The consultation included stakeholders such as the Gambling Commission, trade associations, licensees, children’s services, local residents’ groups, responsible authorities including police and public health, and all members. The consultation was also published on the Council website and a public notice was placed on the notice boards of all public libraries. No comments on the draft policy were received.
The Statutory Licensing Committee considered the draft policy at a hearing on 24 September 2024, no additional comments were received.
RESOLVED that the revised Statement of Principles for Gambling Premises in Stockton-on-Tees be agreed and come into effect on the 31 January 2025.
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3. |
Reasons for the Decision
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The Council’s current policy came into effect on 31 January 2022 and is now due for review.
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4. |
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected
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None
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5. |
Declared (Cabinet Member) Conflicts of Interest
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None
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6. |
Details of any Dispensations
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None
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7. |
Date and Time by which Call In must be executed
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Midnight Monday 27 January 2025
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Proper Officer
Report author: Carolyn Nice
Publication date: 16/01/2025
Date of decision: 16/01/2025
Decided at meeting: 16/01/2025 - Cabinet
Effective from: 28/01/2025
Accompanying Documents: