Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Billy Brookes, Graham Cullen and George Horton.

At this point in the meeting, Members were asked to disclose any relevant interests. The following interests were disclosed:

·       Councillor Andrew Leonard asked it be noted that he was a personal licence holder and a Magistrate.

·       Councillor Carl Macey asked it be noted that he was a personal licence holder.

To confirm the Minutes of the Licensing Act 2003 Meeting held on 3 June 2024 and the Licensing Act 2003 Sub Committee Meeting held on 25 June 2024.

The Minutes of the Licensing Act 2003 Meeting held on 3 June 2024 and the Minutes of the Licensing Act 2003 Sub Committee Meeting held on 25 June 2024 were agreed as a correct record.

Report of the Group Manager Public Protection.

A report was submitted by the Group Manager Public Protection which enabled Members to undertake the required statutory three-yearly review of the Council’s (Licensing Authority’s) Statement of Licensing Principles (Gambling Policy).

Members noted that the Council was under a legal duty to keep its Gambling Policy under review.  In line with the statutory requirements, this review of the policy must be completed by January 2025.  The policy review must take place every 3-years.

The Gambling Act 2005 required the Council to consider the Gambling Policy (Statement of Principles) in light of the recent consultation exercise, and to recommend the revised Policy to Council for adoption. The closing date for the submission of consultation responses was 2 September 2024.

The Group Manager Public Protection requested that the Committee recommended to Council that there be no amendment to the Gambling Policy (Statement of Principles), with the exception of the section within the policy document that summarised the number of gambling authorisation currently in force.

Members were referred to the new summary for insertion at Appendix 1, page 13 of the Agenda refers.

Following which, it was

RESOLVED

That it be recommended to Council that there be no amendment to the Gambling Policy (Statement of Principles), with the exception of the section within the policy document that summarised the number of gambling authorisation currently in force.