Agenda and minutes

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests.

(a)  To agree the minutes of the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities meeting held on 18 March 2024

(b)  Matters arising

The Minutes of the meeting held on 18 March, 2024 were agreed and signed as a true record.

There were no matters arising.

Report of the Director of Law and Governance

The Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities considered a report of the Director of Law and Governance which sought the Cabinet Member’s views onand approval to consult on the draft revised Gambling Policy Statement of Principles 2025 – 2028 under the Gambling Act 2005. The Cabinet Member noted that the report would be considered by the Licensing and Regulatory Committee at their meeting on 6 August, 2024. A copy of the draft revised Policy was appended to the report.

The report indicated that under the terms of the Gambling Act 2005 the Council’s Gambling Policy Statement of Principles has to be renewed every three years. The current Gambling Policy Statement of Principles came into effect on 31st January 2022 and a review must therefore be completed. There is a requirement in the Act for the Council to publish and advertise the revised Gambling Policy Statement of Principles at least 4 weeks before, by 3rd January 2025. The Gambling Policy Statement of Principles produced by the Licensing Authority under the Gambling Act 2005 will be relevant for all licensing decisions taken by the Council as the licensing authority over three years commencing on 31st January 2025.

The general principles of the Gambling Policy Statement of Principles remain the same and the document is still centered around the Gambling Act’s three licensing objectives, namely:

  •  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; and

  •  Protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being   harmed or exploited by gambling.

Before amending the Policy for a further three-year period, licensing authorities are required to carry out a wide consultation process. In addition to those it must consult by law, the Council has authority to include in the process any individuals or organisations it deems appropriate. The Responsible Authorities (statutory consultees – Gambling Commission, West Midlands Police, West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service, Planning, Environmental Health (functions in relation to pollution to the environment or harm to human health) Safeguarding Children Board, HM Revenue & Customs, Community Safety Team and Public Health will be consulted on the draft revised policy.

The public consultation exercise will begin on the 9th August 2024, for a 6 week period and finish on the 20th September 2024 and will include the following elements:

  •  Mail shots to representatives of the licensed trade, clubs and key   partners;

  •  Formally writing to the Chief Officers of the responsible    authorities;

  •  Mail shots to businesses and organisations, places of worship;   and

  •  Wider public consultation through the City Council Website.

The revised Policy complies with updated Gambling Commission guidance and regulations. It has been developed with all 6 Warwickshire Licensing Authorities (Warwickshire County Council, North Warwickshire Borough Council, Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council, Rugby Borough Council, Stratford on Avon District Council and Warwick District Council), although each authority has adapted the policy to suit the needs of their  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

There are no outstanding issues

There were no outstanding issues.

To consider any other items of business which the Cabinet Member decides to take as a matter of urgency because of the special circumstances involved.

There were no other items of urgent public business.