Issue - meetings

GAMBLING ACT 2005 STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES (POLICY) REVIEW 2024

Purpose:

The report details the proposed revisions to the Council’s Statement of Principles (Gambling Act 2005), based on legislative requirements, statutory guidance and any amendments following public consultation.

Recommendation:

The Licensing Committee on 19 November 2024 agreed to recommend to Council to:

Approve the Statement of Principles; and,
Agree that the Council continues to adopt a “no-casino resolution” for inclusions in the published Gambling Act 2005 Licensing Policy Statement.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cllr David Jackson, Vice-Chair of the Licensing Committee, introduced the report that detailed the proposed revisions to the Council’s Statement of Principles (Gambling Act 2005), based on legislative requirements, statutory guidance and any amendments following public consultation.

Section 349 of the Gambling Act 2005 (the “Act”) required the licensing authorities before each successive period of three years to:

a) Prepare a statement of the principles that they propose to apply in exercising their

functions under this Act during that period, and;

b) Publish the statement.

The next “successive period” would start on 31 January 2025. However, the Statement needed to

be adopted by 31 December 2024 as it must be published at least 4 weeks before the date

on which it comes into effect on the authority’s website and also be available for inspection

by the public.

Before determining its Policy, the Authority was required to consult with the police, persons who represent the interests of gambling businesses and those who represent the interests

of persons who were likely to be affected by gambling businesses.

It was to be noted that there were no responses from consultees. The benefit of making a ‘no casino’ resolution meant that any applications for a casino in the West Oxfordshire District area would be determined by Full Council. If a ‘no casino’ resolution was not renewed, then if the operator had the necessary planning permission, it was likely that the application for a casino would automatically be granted.

Councillor David Jackson proposed that Council approve the recommendations.

This was seconded by Councillor Mark Walker, was put to a vote, and agreed unanimously.

Council resolved to:

1. Approve the Statement of Principles; and,

Agree that the Council continues to adopt a “no-casino resolution” for inclusions in the published Gambling Act 2005 Licensing Policy Statement

Issue - meetings

GAMBLING ACT 2005 STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES (POLICY) REVIEW 2024

Meeting: 27/11/2024 - Council (Item 201)

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