The Council is asked to consider the recommendations submitted to it by the Cabinet, following Cabinet’s consideration of a reference from the Licensing and Registration Committee, in respect of the adoption of a revised Gambling Licensing Policy Statement.

Earlier on in the meeting, as reported under Minute 59 above:-

(i)     Councillor Scott had declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in relation to this matter insofar as he held a Gaming Licence for North Essex Liberal Democrats within the District. Councillor Scott therefore withdrew from the meeting and left the room whilst Council deliberated on this matter and made its decision.

(ii)    Councillor P B Honeywood had likewise declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in relation to this matter insofar as he held a Gaming Licence for the Clacton Constituency Conservative Association. Councillor Honeywood therefore also withdrew from the meeting and left the room whilst Council deliberated on this matter and made its decision.

Council was informed that, at its meeting held on 15 November 2024 (Minute 77 referred), the Cabinet had considered a reference report from the Licensing and Registration Committee that had set out that Committee’s recommendations in relation to the adoption of a revised Gambling Licensing Policy Statement.

Cabinet had been informed that a draft Policy Statement had been considered by the Licensing and Registration Committee at its meeting held on 24 July 2024.  The Committee at that time had authorised consultation on the draft for a period of five weeks from 30 July 2024 to 3 September 2024.

In response to that consultation Gosschalks LLP, acting on behalf of the Betting and Gaming Council, had submitted a consultation response. As part of that response, Gosschalks had put forward amendments to paragraphs 15.11 and 24.2 of the Policy Statement.

The draft Policy Statement had sought to set out how this Council (as the licensing authority) would regulate gambling activities within the District. Whilst for the majority of the general public, gambling was an enjoyable and often social experience, it was for some individuals a largely hidden addiction which taken to excess had an adverse impact on their finances, health, wellbeing and relationships. The wellbeing of its residents was a key priority for the Council and the Gambling Policy had a role to play in supporting this priority through its control of gambling premises. It was hoped that the new revised policy statement was clear and easily understood and would be of significant use to the Council, its partners and operators when considering gambling matters.

The Licensing and Registration Committee (“the Committee”), at its meeting held on 2 October 2024 (Minute 23 referred), had considered the matter again (including the response received during the consultation).  Through the report, the Committee had been invited to determine its recommendation to Cabinet.  The Committee’s decision had been as follows:-

“RESOLVED that the Committee recommends the revised Gambling Licensing Policy Statement 2025 - 2028, as attached as Appendix A to the report (A.3), to Cabinet and thence Full Council for its formal adoption.”

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Planning, as the designated Executive Member for overseeing licensing policy matters, had submitted the following written statement to Cabinet at its meeting held on 15 November 2024:-

“I thank the Licensing and Registration Committee for its oversight of the development of this revised policy statement on behalf of the Council.  It is important that we operate the Council’s gambling licensing functions in a way that promotes the Gambling Act 2005’s objectives of:

·         preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime

·         ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way

·         protecting children and other vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

I am pleased to be able to support the adoption of this revised policy statement and urge Cabinet to recommend this to Full Council.”

Cabinet had consequently:-

“RESOLVEDthat Cabinet recommends to Full Council that the Gambling Licensing Policy Statement be adopted.”

A copy of the published reference report of the Licensing and Registration Committee (and its appendix) to the Cabinet meeting held on 15 November 2024 was before Council as an attachment to this reference report (A.3).

It was moved by Councillor M E Stephensonand:-

RESOLVED that Full Council approves and formally adopts the revised Gambling Licensing Policy Statement, as set out in Appendix 2 to this reference report (A.3).