Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member Development and Safety

The Cabinet Member Development and Safety, Councillor McKinlay, introduced the report.  The report explained that the Gambling Act 2005 requires that the council produce, consult on and publish a statement of the principles that they propose to apply when exercising their functions under the Act. The Act also requires that the Statement of Principles should be kept under review and must be re-published at least every three years. Cheltenham Borough Council published its existing Statement of Principles in October 2012 and the Statement is now due to be reviewed and a new Statement of Principles will need to be published to take effect no later than January 2016.

The Cabinet Member reported that there were 20 licensed gambling premises in Cheltenham. These included one track licence at the racecourse, one adult gaming centre and 18 licensed betting premises.

The statutory consultation had resulted in three responses and there were no proposed changes as a result of the feedback.

A Member suggested that the BID should be on the list of consultees and the Cabinet Member agreed to add them.

Another Member commented that the number of betting establishments in Cheltenham was already high enough. Another Member suggested that there was a saturation level which could be incorporated into the policy.

The Cabinet Member acknowledged the Member’s concern but with the changes in government legislation, the council was only responsible for monitoring the proper running of the establishments. He was not aware of the option of a saturation limit but would ask officers to investigate this. The policy had to be revised every three years but could come back to Council at any point.

RESOLVED THAT (unanimously)

1.    The proposed changes to the Statement of Principles be noted;

2.    The consultation feedback be noted; and

3.    The Statement of Principles be adopted.