202.
The Committee considered a report which detailed the outcome of the consultation
exercise undertaken in relation to the review of the Gambling Policy (the Policy) and
which recommended that the Policy be referred to Council for adoption.
Sarah White, Licensing Team Leader, attended the meeting to present the report
and assist the Committee with its enquiries. The Committee heard that no comments
had been received as a result of the consultation, and it was invited to commend the
proposed Policy to Full Council for adoption. The fact that no comments had been
received was not entirely surprising, as it was considered that the gambling industry
was awaiting the result of a government White Paper, which would trigger a
substantive review of the Policy. The Licensing Team Leader advised the Committee
that the Officer’s report contained a typographical error, and the proposed Policy
would in fact be implemented from 31 January 2025 and not 2024 as stated.
The Committee expressed its appreciation to Officers for the work which had been
undertaken in producing a substantial and helpful document, and which contained
guidance on providing signage in different languages where necessary and the
implementation of self-exclusion schemes.
In response to a question from the Committee, the Licensing Team Leader
confirmed that no response to the consultation had been received from Essex
County Council Children’s Social Care, which was the body designated by the
Council to advise it in relation to the protection of children from harm. The Committee
was assured, however, that Essex County Council Children’s Social Care had
engaged with the Council in the past in relation to the Policy, and therefore the Policy
which was before the Committee reflected previous comments which had been
made. It was expected that more commentary would be received once the proposed
substantial review of the Policy was undertaken.
In response to a question from the Committee, the Licensing Team Leader
confirmed that the Council, as the Licensing Authority, did recognise its
responsibilities under equality legislation, and the impact of its statutory duties was
monitored through the Council’s Equality and Diversity Officer.
A member of the Committee questioned whether the Policy was correct in stating
that Colchester was one of the fastest growing towns in the Country. Information
confirming the status of Colchester’s growth was not available, and the Committee
was content that this reference be removed from the Policy altogether.
The Licensing Team Leader confirmed to the Committee that applicants for a licence
under the Gambling Act 2005 were required to complete a risk assessment, and
template was contained as an annex to the Policy. A variety of data was available to
applicants in respect of areas of vulnerability, but the Council did not currently make
available a local area plan which was dedicated to identifying such areas. It was
intended that the provision of such a plan would considered when the Policy was
reviewed in the future, but Officers would provide any data which was requested by
applicants in the meantime.
In discussion, the Committee noted that the Policy mentioned gambling vulnerability
zones, and the Licensing Team Leader confirmed that the Council did not provide a
map of such zones as they were subject to change. Gambling vulnerability was
determined by the proximity of a gambling premises to schools or other educational
institutions, as well as properties used for drug rehabilitation or providing temporary
housing for the homeless. Any new application was expected to take account of the
area which surrounded it, and would be considered in the context of the local
surroundings. This was an issue which the applicant was required to address, and
which would form part of the assessment of the application. Drug and alcohol
dependency issues were expected to be addressed by any applicant when they
provided their risk assessment as part of the application process. The Committee
heard that the gambling industry was well organised and very used to making good
quality applications, and Officers were assured that any prospective applicant would
contact the Council to obtain any information which was required to correctly support
an application.
The Committee noted a number of minor typographical errors in the Policy and a
number of minor amendments to the Policy had been suggested, which Officers
would ensure were implemented:
Section 4.1 - removal of the reference made to the speed of growth of Colchester.
Section 4.7 – change of the word ‘manning’ to staffing.
The Committee noted that the Policy which was before it was effectively an interim
Policy pending a further detailed review in the light of the anticipated government
White Paper, although the contents of the Paper or its release date were not yet
known. The Policy would be returned to the Committee for review in a maximum of 3
year’s time irrespective of the publication of the White Paper.
RECOMMENDED to Full Council that: the proposed Gambling Statement of
Licensing Policy be Approved and adopted with effect from 31 January 2025.