Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

Resolved to note that apologies were received from Councillors Bone, Hallam and Pandey.  Councillor Scott Brown was present as a substitute.

Resolved to note that apologies were received from Councillors Bone, Hallam and Pandey. Councillor Scott Brown was present as a substitute.

Resolved to note that there were no declarations of interest made.

Resolved to note that there were no declarations of interest made.

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2024 were received.

Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2024 be approved, subject to Councillor Wilkes’ name being deleted from the list of attendees, as he had submitted apologies. The minutes were duly signed.

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2024 were received.

Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2024 be approved, subject to Councillor Wilkes’ name being deleted from the list of attendees, as he had submitted apologies. The minutes were duly signed.

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 March 2024 were received.

Resolved that the minutes of the meeting of 21 March 2024 be approved as an accurate record of that meeting and duly signed.

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 March 2024 were received.

Resolved that the minutes of the meeting of 21 March 2024 be approved as an accurate record of that meeting and duly signed.

Resolved to note that no requests to address the meeting had been received.

Resolved to note that no requests to address the meeting had been received.

Resolved that the Licensing and Appeals Committee recommends to council that:

(i)            authority to make any minor corrections to the Statement of Licensing Principles be delegated to the Assistant Director of Regulatory Services, prior to publication;

(ii)          the Statement of Licensing Principles 2025-2029 be adopted;

(iii)         A ‘No-Casino’ resolution not be made nor included in the Statement of Licensing Principles.

The circulated report of the Assistant Director of Regulatory Services was received for the committee to consider the draft Statement of Licensing Principles and to recommend its adoption to Council in December 2024.

Appended to the report was the Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Licensing Principles 2025-2029 and the Consultation Analysis.

Mr Howell, Licensing and Service Support Manager, presented the report to committee and explained that a Statement of Licensing Principles has to be published at least every three years. The current Statement expires at the end of January 2025 and is in place to guide the administration of licensing activities under the Act and helps to ensure that an appropriate balance is drawn between the interests of those wishing to provide and take part in legal gambling, and those who may be affected by such activities. The council continues to work with the police and other responsible authorities under the Act, licence holders and wider stakeholder to achieve the objective.

When adopting a new statement, the council is empowered under Section 166 of the Act to determine if it wishes to make a no-casino resolution.  If the council makes such a resolution it means that it will not issue any new casino premises licences and such resolution will  have effect for the same duration as the statement.  A previous decision in November 2021 was made not to make a ‘no-casino’ resolution.

The chair invited members to debate the report.

Members raised the following points:

A question was raised over how children were kept safe from using for example fruit machines in clubs and pubs.  Officers clarified that it was the licensee that needed to ensure that children were not using fruit machines. There would be notices up in licensed premises detailing the licensing act and the fact that those under 18 could not use the machines. The public could report any issues around children using fruit machines. It was noted that children would not be permitted to be present in a casino.

Reference was made to 4.7 and a question asked about which of the sovereign councils had previously been interested in hosting a casino.  Officers were not aware of any who had been interested in doing so.

It was noted that there was a long-standing Casino in Northampton and there had been no approach for one in the North of the county, however, a request could be submitted at any time.

It was noted that the draft policy had changed little to the current policy and that it had been consulted on. Some members of the committee who were also parish councillors commented that they had not been informed of the consultation by their clerks. Officers clarified that the draft had been circulated to all of the town and parish councils in North Northamptonshire and that it may be worth members discussing with the clerk to the relevant parish council.

The Assistant Director of Regulatory Services, Iain Smith, clarified the options for the committee of the choice with  ...  view the full minutes text for item Lic/9

Resolved to note that there being no further business the chair closed the meeting at 7.30pm.

Resolved to note that there being no further business the chair closed the meeting at 7.30pm.