Agenda item

Report of the Environmental Health Team Manager

The Environmental Health Team Manager presented the report to Members, highlighting the consultation undertaken and the proposed changes regarding the Local Area Profile at section 11 of the draft policy.  He also apologised that the draft policy document at appendix 1 did not include the usual track changes, this was due to a technical error. 

In response to a question of clarity from Councillor J Clarke, the Environmental Health Team Manager explained that the number of gambling premises in Coalville town centre should be five rather than six as printed in the report, this was due to the recent closure of an adult gaming centre in the area.  This would be corrected in the final report to Council.

Councillor S Sheahan raised concerns regarding online gambling and the fact that there was no reference to it within the report.  The Environmental Health Team Manager explained that this was not a function of the District Council and was regulated by the Gambling Commission.

Councillor T Eynon understood that there was an absence of evidence to suggest that there were any problems with gambling activity in North West Leicestershire but in her opinion there were two very important organisations that had not been consulted.  These were Nottingham Health Care Trust and Turning Point.  She believed that they would be able to provide more accurate information on the issue.  The Environmental Health Team Manager explained that the team had consulted all those advised to, but took the comments on board and agreed to add the organisations to the list of consultees in future.

Councillor D Everitt also suggested the addition of the Citizens Advice Bureau to the list of consultees.  He felt that the picture given by the current consultees was a superficial one as he believed many of the problems with gambling had gone underground with the availability of online gambling.

The Environmental Health Team Manager reported that GambleAware had commissioned a piece of work, due to be completed in 2019, regarding Local Area Profiles. If the study revealed a problem with gambling for  North West Leicestershire, the local profile would be updated accordingly.

Councillor N Smith asked if any of the consulted organisations ever reported individuals with gambling problems.  The Licensing Team Leader reported that very few complaints were received regarding gambling establishments and this year there had been none at all.  Councillor N Smith commented that the lack of reports from the premises themselves on any problems due to gambling activity, could possibly be due to the amount of money being made from customers affected.  The Licensing Team Leader assured Members that licence holders had a duty of care to assist people with obvious problems. 

Councillor M Specht referred to a recently reported national problem regarding the usage of fixed odds betting terminals.  He commented that he had visited a number of premises and he did not see any customers constantly sat at the machines.  He was pleased that the report supported this view as there did not seem to be a problem of this nature in North West Leicestershire.

It was moved by Councillor J G Coxon, seconded by Councillor J Clarke and

RECOMMENDED THAT:

Council approve the Statement of Licensing Policy at its meeting on 13 November 2018.

RESOLVED THAT:

The authority to update the Local Area Profile be delegated to the Head of Community Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder.