Agenda and draft minutes

To follow.

The evacuation procedure was noted.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve and sign the minutes of the last meeting held on 23 November 2021.

Consideration was given to the Statutory Licensing Committee minutes from the meeting held 23 November 2021.

RESOLVED that the minutes be approved and signed as a correct record by the Chair.

Members were presented with and asked to consider, note and comment on a report which detailed the statutory public consultation on the revised Gambling Statement of Principles for gambling premises in Stockton on Tees.

The Gambling Act 2005 required licensing authorities to publish a Statement of Principles, every three years. The current statement was published in January 2022 and as such, a new statement was due to be published in January 2025.

The statement included three objectives, which supported the role of the Gambling Commission and the local authority. These were:

•Preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder, or being used to support crime.

•Ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way.

•Protecting children and other vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

There had been no legislative changes since 2022, as such there had been no material changes to the proposed statement. The statement had had a refresh regarding look, ease of use and updated information about the Borough, gambling participation and gambling harms.

The statement did not include web-based, online gambling or any aspects of advertising or promotion as these were the responsibility of the Gambling Commission.

The draft statement was published for statutory consultation. The consultation included the public and stakeholders such as the Gambling Commission, trade associations, licensees, children’s services, responsible authorities including police and public health, and all members.

The consultation and how to comment was also published on the website and within all public libraries. No further comments on the draft statement had been received.

In 2023 the Department for Culture, Media and Sport conducted a public consultation relating to the land based gambling sector and new regulations had been proposed. Once implemented, these would be incorporated into the new statement

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.

The current review would conclude with the revised statement coming into effect on the 31 January 2025 following consideration by Cabinet and Council.

RESOLVED that the:

1) report be noted

2) following consultation the revised statement be presented to a future meeting of Cabinet and Council for consideration with the revised statement coming into effect on the 31 January 2025.