Location: Shimkent Room, Daneshill House
Present: Members: Councillors, H.C.L. Tessier (Chair), C. Latif (Vice-Chair), B. Jackson, T.G.M. Kent, CC, M. Notley, M.P. Patston, J.A. Pickersgill and Mrs L.G. Strange.
Others:
Duration:
Start Time: 6.00pm
End Time: 6.59pm
Status: Noted
Business: Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors D.W. Cullen, P.D. Kissane, L. Knight, JP, J. Lloyd, CC and P. Stuart.
There were no declarations of interest.
Decision:
Status: Agreed
Business: The Head of Environmental Health and Licensing submitted a report seeking approval of the first draft of Stevenage Borough Council's Statement of Principles for the Gambling Act 2005. The new Gambling Act will bring new responsibilities to the Council as the local licensing authority and the exercise of its functions under the Act.
Members were advised that under the new Act, the Council is under a statutory duty to aim to permit the use of premises for gambling as long as it complies with relevant codes of practice and guidance issued by the Gambling Commission and also in accordance with the Council's Statement of Principles.
The Act also provides that the Committee established to administer the Licensing Act 2003 shall exercise the relevant responsibilities under the Gambling Act with the exception of:-
* The adoption of the Licensing Statement of principles
* Any resolution relating to casinos
These decisions are for the Council as a whole.
Under the Act, the Council is entitled to pass a resolution not to issue any casino premises license in the event that it subsequently obtains the power to do so.
Members discussed the following points within the Statement of Principles:-
* Door supervisors at casinos and bingo premises.
* Permits on Unlicensed Family Entertainment Centres.
* Prize Gaming Permits.
Decision: It was RESOLVED:-
(1) That officers conduct a public consultation exercise on the Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles with a view to reporting back to the Committee's next meeting.
(2) That the option of the Council making a resolution not to licence Casinos within Stevenage, be included as part of the consultation.
(3) That the table of delegated functions as permitted under the Gambling Act 2005, and contained within the main Gambling Act 2005 - Statement of Principles be approved with the following additions/ amendments:-
(a) Application for permits in alcohol licensed premises to be delegated to officers.
(b) Decision to give a counter notice to a temporary use notice to be delegated to officers.
(c) Levels for fee setting to be delegated to officers.
(d) Small society lottery applications to be an officer delegation.
(4) That the Committee approves the Statement of Principles in relation to Permits on unlicensed FECs contained within the main Gambling Act 2005 - Statement of Principles (Part C, section 1), subject to the addition of the requirement for all staff to have no relevant convictions.
(5) That the Committee approves the Statement of Principles in relation to Prize Gaming Permits contained within the main Gambling Act 2005 - Statement of Principles (Part C, section 3).
(6) That the Committee approves the Door Supervisor requirements for Casinos and Bingo premises as contained within the main Gambling Act 2005 - Statement of Principles (section 10).
Status: Noted
Business: None.
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: Noted.
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: None.
Decision: