Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

(a)  To agree the minutes of the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities meeting held on 8 March 2021

(b)  Matters arising

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 2021 were agreed as a true record. There were no matters arising.

Report of the Director of Street Scene and Regulatory Services

To consider the above petition, bearing 298 signatures, which has been sponsored by Councillor E Ruane, a Henley Ward Councillor, who has been invited to the meeting for the consideration of this item along with the petition organiser.

The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Streetscene and Regulatory Services which responded to a petition bearing 298 signatures which had been submitted to the City Council in October 2020. The petition was sponsored by Councillor Ruane, a Henley Ward Councillor and requested that the Council provide a children’s play facility on the field between Woodway Lane and Shilton Lane.

The Petition read ““We the undersigned petition the Council to request a park with play equipment for children (swings, slide, climbing frame etc) on field between Woodway lane and Shilton Lane adjacent to Woodway lane cemetery, historically there was a play area located on this site for the children of Potters Green”.  Councillor Ruane was unable to attend the meeting, however, the petition spokesperson did attend the meeting and spoke in support of the petition.

The report stated that a children’s play area had existed at this location a number of years ago as suggested by the petitioners. The facility had been removed many years ago due to repeated vandalism and complaints from residents on Woodway Lane whose houses looked onto the site. An image taken in 1994 showing that  most of the play area had virtually all gone was attached as an appendix to the report.  Also appended to the report was a plan showing the location of play facilities within the same catchment area.

Having considered the report, the presentation and the submission by the petition spokesperson, the Cabinet Member noted the concerns raised by petitioners and also recognised the need for local, safe, play areas for children and the health benefits enjoyed by having a play facility that can be easily accessed by local residents.  However, the costs of such a play facility, estimated at approximately £150,000 far outweighed the funding available by the Greenspace Service.  It was, however, reported that some external funding may be available to constituted residents’ groups and suggested that the petition spokesperson work with his local councillors and officers to investigate the possibility of accessing any available funding streams.

RESOLVED that, the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities:

1. Noted the content of the petition and the concerns of the petitioners

2. Noted that a play facility had been built by a developer and located at Eaglestone Way new housing development off Shilton lane.

3. Noted that the cost of providing a children’s play facility had been estimated at  approximately £150, 000

4. Noted that the Greenspace Service did not have the resources to provide a new children’s play facility at this location and that this would be subject to securing external funding.

5. Noted that, as part of the Planning Application for the New Elmfield Farm Development on Wigston Road, should permission be granted the developer had been asked to provide a new children’s play facility on the development.

Report of the Director of Street Scene and Regulatory Services

The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Streetscene and Regulatory Services which sought approval to consult on the draft revised Statement of Licensing Policy 2022 - 2025 under the Gambling Act 2005.  A copy of the draft revised policy was attached as an appendix to the report.

Under the terms of the Gambling Act 2005 the Council’s Statement of Gambling Policy had to be renewed every three years.  The current Statement of Gambling Policy came into effect on 31^st January 2019 and a review must therefore be completed.  There was a requirement in the Act for the Council to publish and advertise the revised Statement of Gambling Policy at least 4 weeks before, by 3^rd January 2022.

The Gambling Policy produced by the Licensing Authority under the Gambling Act 2005 would be relevant for all licensing decisions taken by the Council as the Licensing Authority over three years commencing on 31^st January 2022.

The general principles of the Gambling Policy remain the same and the document was still centred 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

·  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 were required to carry out a wide consultation process. In addition 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 would be consulted on the draft revised policy.

The public consultation exercise would begin on the 2 August 2021 for a 6 week period and finish on the 13 September 2021. The revised policy complied with updated Gambling Commissions guidance and regulations. It had been developed with all 6 Warwickshire Licensing Authorities (Warwickshire County Council, North Warwickshire Borough Council, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, Rugby Borough Council, Stratford on Avon District Council and Warwick District Council), although each authority had adapted the policy to suit the needs of their area and profile.

RESOLVED that, the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities note the draft revised Statement of Gambling Policy and authorise theDirector of Streetscene and Regulatory Services to carry out the consultation as detailed in the report.

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 business.