Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety introduced a report on the Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy 2023-2026.

The Council, as the local licensing authority for gaming and betting, was required under the Gambling Act 2005 to have in place a statement of the principles by which it would abide in carrying out its licensing responsibilities, in accordance with a statutory three-year cycle. The Cabinet Member confirmed that a period of formal public consultation had been undertaken in respect of the draft Gambling Policy Statement 2023-2026 and the proposals had also been considered by the Licensing and Regulatory Committee on 31 January 2023.

The Policy was based on the promotion of the three statutory licensing objectives and the Local Area Profile, which referred to areas in the Borough most at risk of gambling related harm in the context of risk factors such as high levels of deprivation. The Cabinet Member stated that the Government was expected to release a White Paper on gambling reform in the near future.  However, under the current legislation all the Council could do was produce a policy that was as localised as possible and aimed at putting the onus on applicants of gambling premises licenses to demonstrate how they would mitigate the risks of gambling related harm as part of their application.

Members discussed the significant detrimental impacts of gambling on individuals and society, particular during the cost-of-living crisis.  Members recognised and shared the frustrations of residents that the Council had limited powers to control the number of gambling premises licences in the Borough.

The Assembly resolved to:

(i)  Adopt the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy 2023-2026, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report; and

(ii)  Note that the policy statement shall take effect following the expiry of the statutory period of advertising after publication, in accordance with the provisions of the Gambling Act 2005.

The Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety introduced a report on the Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy 2023-2026.

The Council, as the local licensing authority for gaming and betting, was required under the Gambling Act 2005 to have in place a statement of the principles (a ‘policy’) by which it would abide in carrying out its licensing responsibilities, in accordance with a statutory three-year cycle.  The Cabinet Member confirmed that a period of formal public consultation had been undertaken in respect of the draft Gambling Policy Statement 2023-2026 and the proposals had also been considered by the Licensing and Regulatory Committee on 31 January 2023.

The policy was based on the promotion of the three statutory licensing objectives and the Local Area Profile, which referred to areas in the Borough most at risk of gambling related harm in the context of risk factors such as high levels of deprivation.  The Cabinet Member stated that the Government was expected to release a White Paper on gambling reform in the near future; however, whilst the current legislation was in place, all the Council could do was produce a policy that was as localised as possible and aimed at putting the onus on applicants of gambling premises licenses to demonstrate how they would mitigate the risks of gambling related harm as part of their application.

Members discussed the significant detrimental impacts of gambling on individuals and society and the difficulty in managing residents’ expectations regarding the limited powers the Council had to control the number of gambling premises licences in the Borough.  The potential to use planning legislation and permitted development rights as a means to control the number of gambling premises licences in the Borough was also raised and the Strategic Director, Inclusive Growth agreed to provide further information on the issue to Cabinet Members.

Cabinet resolved to recommend the Assembly to:

(i)  Adopt the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy 2023-2026, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report; and

(ii)  Note that the policy statement shall take effect following the expiry of the statutory period of advertising after publication, in accordance with the provisions of the Gambling Act 2005.