Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Corporate Director of Neighbourhoods and Climate Change which sought approval to undertake public consultation leading to the production of a revised Statement of Gambling Principles (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Licensing Manager advised that the Gambling Act 2005 requires that local licensing authorities prepare and publish a Statement of Gambling Principles (a ‘gambling policy) every three years. Durham adopted its current gambling policy in December 2021 and therefore a new policy must be adopted no later than December 2024.

In addition, there was a statutory requirement that consultation must take place prior to a new policy being adopted and it was therefore proposed that this would take place in the Spring of 2024 for a period of 12 weeks.

In discussing the existing policy members noted that whilst the existing policy remained fit for purpose there were aspects which required updating along with strengthening links to Public Health related aims and noting issues around the prevalence of online gambling.

Resolved:

That the Committee approves and authorises the commencement of the statutory consultation process relating to the consideration and adoption of a new gambling policy.