Agenda item

To receive a report from the Corporate Director Resident Services seeking approval for adoption of the Council’s Statement of Gambling Principles, which sets out the policy for dealing with applications and regulating gambling premises within the borough.

Members are asked to note that the report is also due to be considered at the Cabinet meeting on 16 November 2023.  Any comments made as a result will be reported at the Council meeting.

Council RESOLVED following its referral by Cabinet on 16 November 2023 to approve formal sign off and adoption of the revised Statement of Gambling Principles (31 January 2022 – 31 January 2025) as set out within Appendix 1 of the report.

Eligible for Call-In: No

The Mayor invited Councillor Farah, as Cabinet Member for Safer Communities & Public Protection, to introduce a report from the Corporate Director Resident Services setting out the Statement of Gambling Principles, which it was noted there was requirement (under the Gambling Act 2005) for all local authorities designated as a Licensing Authority to keep under review, prepare and publish every three years.

In introducing the report members were advised that as part of the Statement each Licensing Authority was expected to outline local issues, priorities and risks that would be used to inform their approach and policy for dealing with applications and regulating gambling premises, with the draft updated Statement for Brent having been detailed within Appendix 1 of the report.  In preparing the Statement of Principles members were advised each authority would also be required to reflect current regulations and have regard to the Gambling Commission’s guidance, with concerns expressed at the limitations this placed on Licensing Authorities in terms of relevant matters that could be taken into consideration as part of this process and when considering licensing applications for gambling premises given they prevented decisions being considered on public health and moral grounds as well as on the basis of demand.  In noting that the draft Statement of Principles had been subject to an extensive consultation process, as detailed within Appendix 2 of the report, disappointment was expressed at the current legislative position with local authorities felt to be best placed to make decisions on the impact in relation to the assessment of relevant policy considerations when considering applications for gambling premises in their area.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Farah for introducing the report and then opened the debate for contributions from other members.

In supporting the concerns highlighted regarding the limitations currently placed on the relevant matters that could be taken into account when considering applications in relation to gambling premises, Councillor Lorber also felt it important to recognise the role of the current and previous governments in supporting de-regulation of the gambling industry, with a need highlighted for the Council to take a strong stance in seeking to oppose these type of licenses.

Councillor Nerva, in supporting the frustrations expressed regarding the limitations placed on Licensing Authorities in being able to oppose applications relating to gambling premises within the borough, felt it important to highlight that these were also shared by a majority of local residents who recognised the serious harm and nuisance being caused as a result of gambling centres operating within their local areas.  Highlighting that the lack of control was even more serious in relation to online gambling he hoped that a future government would be more willing to address the issues raised working with local authorities and the health services in order to provide a more joined up approach.

In supporting the wider concerns raised, Councillor Grahl felt it important to also recognise the work undertaken to prepare the revised draft Statement particularly the focus which had been included under Objective 3 in terms of the protection of children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

Councillor Miller also spoke to highlight his support for the approach adopted within the Statement and Council’s stance in seeking to oppose (as strongly as possible) applications from gambling premises within the borough.  At the same time concern was expressed regarding the lack of support provided for Licensing Authorities by the government who had failed to seek reform of the current legislation which he felt required a more responsible approach in order to address.

In sharing the frustrations and concerns identified, particularly given the number of licenced gambling and Adult Gaming premises currently operating within his ward, Councillor Kelcher highlighted the impact these were having not only in terms of local town centres and high streets but also on local communities in relation to the harm and anti-social behaviour associated with gambling activity.  Whilst fully supportive of the Statement and approach adopted by the Council (as Licensing Authority) in seeking to oppose these type of premises operating in the borough, Councillor Kelcher felt more support was required from the government in terms of the legislation enabling the issues to be addressed as a public health consideration supported by relevant planning and licensing policy.

As a final contribution to the debate, Councillor Maurice, whilst recognising the concerns which had been expressed during the debate also felt it important to highlight the need to ensure that national policy provided a consistent approach towards the gambling industry supported with, for example, proper regulation of the profits being generated as a result.

As no other members indicated they wished to speak the Mayor thanked members for their contribution and invited Councillor Farah to exercise his right of reply.  In closing the debate, Councillor Farah thanked members for their support and highlighted the work being undertaken involving a wide range of community organisations to continue lobbying for a change in the way the current licensing policy operated in relation to gambling given the lack of focus on regulation by the current government since an initial review had been announced in 2020 and the ongoing impact of the gambling sector lobbying to prevent reform.  In recognising the concerns highlighted, Councillor Farah ended by commending the draft Statement of Principles to members on the basis it had been designed to continue seeking to protect, as far as was possible within the limitations of current regulations, local communities and individuals from the harm and anti-social behaviour associated with gambling activity.

Having thanked Councillor Farah for closing the debate, the Mayor then put the recommendations in the report to the vote and they were declared CARRIED.

Council therefore unanimously RESOLVED following its referral by Cabinet on 16 November 2023, to approve formal sign off and adoption of the revised Statement of Gambling Principles (31 January 2022 – 31 January 2025) as set out within Appendix 1 of the report.