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Present:
Councillor Hardy (in the Chair)
Councillors | Mrs Benson | Callow | Mrs Cresswell | Mrs Greenhalgh | | Brown | Mrs Callow JP | Mrs Delves | Mrs Smith |
In Attendance:
Mrs S Davies, Miss V Cartmell, and Mrs P Higson, Business Services Directorate
Apologies:
Councillors Carr and Hutchinson
1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor Callow and Councillor Mrs Callow declared a personal interest in item 3 on the agenda (Statement of Policy under the Gambling Act 2005). The nature of the interest being that their casino membership. 2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 14th September 2006
Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 14th September 2006 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY UNDER THE GAMBLING ACT 2005
The Committee was informed that The Gambling Act 2005 was due to come into force on 1st September 2007. The Act would transfer responsibility for the licensing of casinos, bingo halls and betting offices from the Betting and Gaming Justices at the Magistrates Court to Blackpool Council as Licensing Authority.
Members were informed that Licensing Authorities were required to prepare a statement of the principles which they proposed to apply when exercising their functions under the new Act and that in the preparation of Blackpool's Statement of Policy and Principles the required consultation process had been taken into account.
Resolved:
1. To recommend that the Executive recommend the Council to approve the Statement of Policy as presented with any minor extension to the scheme of delegation as may become necessary in the meantime.
2. That officers be requested to make the necessary arrangements for a casino site visit.
Background Papers: None 4. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GAMBLING ACT 2005
The Committee was informed that when the Gambling Act came into force on 1st September 2007 and the Council assumed responsibility for issuing licences for casinos, bingo halls and betting offices there were approximately 4 casinos, 3 bingo halls and 41 betting offices that would be entitled to 'grandfather rights'.
It had been anticipated that the Gambling Commission would start receiving applications for operating and personal licences from 1st January 2007 with the local authority applications for premises licences from 31st January 2007, however due to delays at the Department of Culture , Media and Sport the Central Government had amended the timescales so that local authorities would not now accept applications until 30th April 2007. Applications submitted between 30th April and the end of July in respect of existing establishments would have 'continuing rights'.
Training for Members would take place in February or March 2007.
The Committee were informed that fees had not yet been set. The Authority would be able to set its own fees to ensure cost recovery in respect of premises licences, although the fee would have to be within a fee band determined by the Government. It was anticipated that a consultation document on the fee bands would be available in the near future with a final decision being made in January 2007. Fees for permits would be set centrally.
Resolved: To note the content of the report updating the Committee on the implementation of the Gambling Act 2005.
Background Papers: None
The meeting ended at 10.40 a.m.
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