Agenda and minutes

Chairman to announce any urgent items which due to special circumstances are to be dealt with under agenda item 7(b).

The Chairman advised that there were no urgent items to be considered at this meeting.

Any apologies for absence that have been received will be noted at this point.

The Chairman did not make any announcements.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Committee meeting held on 23 March 2016.

That the minutes of 23 March 2016 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Details of members’ personal interests arising from their membership of parish councils or West Sussex County Council or from their being Chichester District Council or West Sussex County Council appointees to outside organisations or members of outside bodies or from being employees of such organisations or bodies.

Such interests are hereby disclosed by each member in respect of agenda items where the Council or outside body concerned has been consulted in respect of that particular item or application.

Declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests, personal interests and prejudicial interests are to be made by members of the Committee in respect of matters on the agenda or this meeting.

No interests were declared at this meeting.

Questions submitted by members of the public in writing by noon on the previous working day (for a period of up to 15 minutes).

The Chairman advised that no public questions had been submitted.

To introduce the Council’s proposed Draft Statement of Policy under the Gambling Act 2005 for the period of 2019 – 2022 and seek approval for public consultation.

Mr Knowles-Ley introduced this item and explained that each council is required by Section 349 of the Gambling Act 2005 to prepare and publish a statement of licensing principles commonly referred to as a ‘Statement of Policy’.

The primary purpose of the policy is to ensure that the provision of betting, gaming and lotteries within the district is provided in a manner that promotes the three statutory licensing objectives, firstly of preventing gambling being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime, secondly ensuring gambling is conducted in a fair and open way; and thirdly protecting children and vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

The policy will run for three years although an interim review can be conducted at any time.  The current policy came into effect on the 21 June 2016 and will cease on 20June 2019.  It has provided a sound framework for establishing the Council’s approach to a variety of gambling matters and has not been subject to formal challenge or informal criticism.  From a commercial perspective it does not appear to be unreasonably restrictive.

The contents of the current statutory guidance issued by the Gambling Commission has been carefully considered in preparation of the revised draft statement, and also the effect of any statutory changes made since the current policy was approved.  In comparison to previous years, there have only been a very small number of statutory changes and these relate to matters of law and not policy. 

Mr Knowles-Ley outlined the key changes and matters for consideration which includes a new Section 4 titled ‘Local Risk Assessments’, setting out clear expectations of licensed operators regarding risk assessments relating to premises.  Also included is an updated Section 5 titled ‘Local Area Profile’ which is referenced briefly as it is not considered necessary to produce a Local Area Profile at this time, but specifies the significant factors, should the position change.  Further included is the proposal to continue to formally designate the ‘West Sussex Local Safeguarding Children Board’ as the body responsible for advising on matters associated with the protection of children from harm.  Finally, also included is the proposal to maintain the position that although the authority is still unable to grant a Casino Premises Licence due to the current national statutory framework, the authority will determine to pass a ’no casino resolution’ under Section 166 of the Act.

Mr Knowles-Ley concluded that the proposed draft policy reflects the current statutory requirements and guidance and most importantly, will have a positive impact on the promotion of the three licensing objectives. 

In response to further members questions concerning obtaining spare Casino Licences, Mr Foord confirmed as cited by Mr Knowles-Ley, currently the situation is unchanged. 

The Chairman of the committee commented that very little has changed in regards to these matters, that the policy has stood the test of time and therefore requires only minor changes.

Resolved

That the draft revised Statement of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.