The Licensing Committee of Wandsworth Council met on Thursday 22 November 2018, approving updates to the council's gambling policy and proposed fees for premises licences. The committee also agreed on the timetable for the development and consultation of the Statement of Licensing Policy 2019-2024.

Gambling Act 2005: Statement of Policy and Principles Review

The committee considered a report on the three-yearly review of the council's Statement of Policy and Principles under the Gambling Act 2005. A key outcome of this discussion was the decision that headteachers of schools in the vicinity of new gambling premises or variation applications will be notified when these are received by the Licensing team. Councillor Henderson suggested that Wandsworth could consider implementing a Think 25 scheme, similar to those used for alcohol sales, to address concerns about gambling among young people. The committee also noted the government's update that a reduced maximum bet of £2 on fixed odds betting machines would be introduced in April 2019. The committee resolved to approve the recommendations in the report.

Review of Fees 2019

The committee reviewed proposed fees for premises licences under the Gambling Act 2005 for 2019. The Commercial Services Manager explained that the fees had been set at the statutory maximum based on cost recovery. Councillor Walsh raised a query regarding a reduction in transfer fees for Bingo from £1,000 to £500. The Chairman explained this reduction was expected due to cost savings from joining the Regulatory Services Partnership¹. The Commercial Services Manager agreed to check the accuracy of the 2018 Bingo transfer fee and provide an update. The committee resolved to approve the recommendations in the report.

Statement of Licensing Policy 2019-2024

A verbal update was provided on the timetable for consulting on and agreeing the Statement of Licensing Policy 2019-2024. The Commercial Services Manager outlined that the policy, which will be in effect for five years, requires a review and publication every three years under Section 5 of the Licensing Act 2003², with the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011³ extending this to five years. The proposed timetable includes a Licensing Committee meeting on 6th December to consider the draft policy, followed by an eight-week public consultation. A further committee meeting on 27th February 2019 will agree the draft policy after considering consultation responses, with the full Council meeting on 6th March 2019 to agree the new Statement of Licensing Policy. The new policy is set to come into force on 12th May 2019. The committee resolved to agree this timetable.