Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received for both Councillors Judy Kelly and Lynne Allen.

None.

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 April 2014 were agreed as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 June 2014 were agreed as a correct record.

It was confirmed that all items would be considered in Part 1 public.

Officers introduced the report and updated the Committee on a proposed reform to Planning Legislation to give Local Authorities more scope to refuse Betting Shop applications.  There had been problems being able to refuse Betting Shops as they were often the same category as a bank or an estate agent and could open without the need for planning permission.

The Government proposed that the changes to the use classes would give Local Authorities greater power to refuse applications in areas that were already saturated. 

Officers also informed the Committee that the Government had tightened up controls on the advertising of gambling and was calling on the trade to take greater responsibility to protect users of gambling facilities.  Customers who wished to bet over £50 in one play would have to interact with staff and pay over the counter before they were able to play.  Officers informed Members that it would be the responsibility of the Betting Shop staff to control.  Larger operators were required to offer and encourage customers to take up accounts so that players could track and monitor their spending via statements. 

Proposed changes included implementing a screen on the machine at the start of play where the user would be required to set limits on how much they wish to spend and the duration of the gambling session.  Pop up warning messages at regular intervals with pauses would also be introduced to encourage players to be more aware of their gambling.  Members were keen to hear that the voluntary self exclusion system was being strengthened so that players could make a single request to be banned from Betting Shops on a wider basis.  The Department for Culture, Media and Sport also had plans to strengthen education for 16-24 year olds to prevent underage children being exposed to gambling.

Members questioned how the proposed changes to the voluntary self exclusion system.  Officers explained that these would be built into the operator conditions.   The licence conditions would be enforced by the Local Authority.  Members were concerned at what was classed as saturation.  In some areas of the Borough there were more than 5 Betting Shops in a condensed area. 

Members sought clarification in relation to the actual figure of Betting Shops as the national figure had not changed dramatically.  Nationally there were approximately 9000 Betting Shops.  Officers explained to Members that whilst there were a number of Betting Shops opening in Town Centres there were also a number that had closed.  For example, a number of Public Houses had been closed due to low trade and Betting Shops which had traditionally been placed near these Public Houses had closed as a result. 

Members concluded the discussion on the item by suggesting that Hillingdon's Local Plan needed to be amended to include a policy in relation to Betting Shop premises applications and their proposed location.

Resolved - That the Committee noted the information.

Officers introduced the report detailing the recent legislation introduced by the Government to relax licensing hours for the duration of the World Cup Tournament 2014.  Premises Licences and Club Premises Certificates would be extended for a maximum of 4 hours after the kick-off time.  The latest kick-off time was at 9pm, meaning that the extension would end at 1am the following morning.  Premises wishing to trade later during the World Cup Tournament would still need to apply for a Temporary Event Notice which would be subject to the usual consultation.

Officers informed Members that the legislation was only applicable to games played by the Men's Senior England Football Team as indicated in the report.

Resolved - That the Committee noted the information.