The Licensing and Regulatory Committee of Barking and Dagenham Council met on Thursday 3 September 2026 to discuss and approve a revised Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy. The committee agreed to recommend the adoption of the updated policy, which incorporates feedback from a public consultation and aims to strengthen protections against gambling-related harm.

Revised Gambling Licensing Policy Approved

The committee discussed the draft revised Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy 2026-2029, which had undergone a public consultation period from 13 July to 24 August 2026. Nick Howard, Environmental Health Service Manager, presented the report, outlining the consultation process and the responses received.

The consultation garnered 16 responses, with the majority expressing general support for the draft policy. However, several public responses indicated concerns about the number of betting shops in the borough and a desire for stronger protections for children and vulnerable individuals. The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) also provided substantial feedback, focusing on the legal precision of the policy's wording and the existing regulatory framework. The council's Planning Department also submitted comments, suggesting minor amendments related to planning policy integration.

Councillor Shamsul Azam raised questions regarding the sufficiency of the consultation responses, the strategy for increasing participation in future consultations, and specific actions planned to reduce gambling harm locally. He also inquired about engagement with schools and youth services on gambling harms. Mr. Howard explained that 16 responses were considered a normal level for this type of policy and detailed a three-pronged approach for the next 12 months: building an evidence base, reviewing the prevalence of gambling premises, and in-depth analysis of the prevalence and severity of gambling harms within Barking and Dagenham. He also noted that engagement with schools and youth services would be part of a wider partnership effort.

Councillor Julia Williams sought clarification on the wording reasonably consistent in relation to licensing objectives, the meaning of promote in the context of licensing, and the potential impact of government proposals to revoke the aim to permit policy. Mr. Howard explained that reasonably consistent allows for pragmatic regulatory judgment, while promote refers to the duty of operators to uphold the licensing objectives. He also noted that any changes to the aim to permit policy would be closely monitored.

Councillor Manjeet Nandra questioned how the council monitors whether policy objectives are being achieved. The committee was informed that monitoring occurs through the scrutiny of applications, contact with licensed entities, and follow-up to complaints or proactive inspections. Officers clarified that proactive inspections are conducted on a risk-based approach, not solely in response to complaints.

Following the discussion, the committee agreed with the proposed changes to the draft Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy, including the minor amendment suggested by the Planning Department regarding paragraph 67. The committee recommended that the policy be forwarded to the Cabinet and then to the General Assembly for final adoption.

The revised policy aims to support the licensing objectives of preventing crime and disorder, ensuring fair and open gambling, and protecting children and vulnerable persons from harm. It also seeks to align with the council's corporate priorities, including resident safety, health, and well-being. The policy acknowledges the significant contribution of the gambling industry to the economy while emphasizing the need to mitigate gambling-related harm, particularly in areas with higher levels of deprivation and vulnerability. The council will continue to work with Public Health and other partners to address these issues.