Issue - meetings

That the draft statement of gambling policy be approved.

Councillor Rosetta Dolphin, Chair of the Licensing Committee, introduced the report and moved the recommendation.    The draft Licensing Policy was appended to the report and she drew attention to the consultations which had been undertaken as detailed.   Subject to approval by Council the policy would come into force on 21June 2023 and would be valid for three years.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Chris Bithell.

Councillor Mike Peers raised questions on the draft Policy concerning enforcement (including any breach of planning conditions), and the protection of children and young persons under the age of 18.  Councillor Peers also asked if Members could be updated on the use of the Policy as at 1 March 2023 and any improvements which had been recommended at the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 1 March 2023.

Councillor Rosetta Dolphin provided feedback on the draft Licensing Policy which had been considered at the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 1 March, and confirmed that the Council employed its own Licensing Enforcement Officers  who implemented and enforced the Policy as required by the Gambling Act 2005. 

The Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy) also responded to the points raised by Councillor Peers and provided further information on the enforcement of licensing conditions and the team work alongside colleagues in Planning to address any complaints regarding the potential breach of planning conditions. The Chief Officer explained that work to update the Gambling Policy was undertaken in collaboration with other local authorities in North Wales to achieve consistency across the region in terms of aims and wording.  He recommended for the purpose of enforcement that there was no further change to the section on Children and Vulnerable Persons as this reflected the requirements of the Gambling Act 2005

When put to the vote the recommendation in the report, as moved and seconded, was carried.

RESOLVED

That the draft statement of gambling policy be approved.