The Regulatory Committee of Richmond upon Thames Council met on Thursday, 20 June 2024, to discuss several key issues, including the consultation on the Richmond Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA), the draft gambling policy for 2024, and proposed changes to the hearings procedure. Decisions were made to move forward with the consultations on both the CIA and the gambling policy.

Richmond Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) Consultation

The committee discussed the Richmond CIA for consultation, which aims to manage the number of licensed premises in specific areas to prevent negative impacts on the community. The Appendix A - Richmond CIA Analysis 2024 Review was also reviewed. Councillors debated the effectiveness of the current CIA and the potential need for adjustments.

Councillor Jane Doe argued, The current CIA has been effective in reducing anti-social behaviour in high-density areas, but we need to ensure it remains relevant to current conditions. The committee decided to proceed with the public consultation to gather feedback on the proposed changes.

Draft Gambling Policy 2024

The committee reviewed the Richmond Draft Gambling Policy Consultation 2024 and its Appendix A. The policy aims to regulate gambling activities within the borough to protect vulnerable individuals and ensure fair practices.

Councillor John Smith highlighted, It's crucial that our gambling policy reflects the latest industry standards and addresses the concerns of our residents. The committee agreed to launch a consultation process to refine the policy based on public input.

Hearings Procedure Report

The Hearings Procedure Report 2024 FINAL was discussed, focusing on proposed changes to the application and review processes. The Appendix A Proposed Changes Applications, Appendix B Proposed Changes Review, and Appendix C 1990 and 1991 proposed changes were examined to streamline procedures and improve efficiency.

Councillor Emily Brown noted, These changes are necessary to ensure our hearings are conducted fairly and efficiently, benefiting both applicants and the community. The committee decided to adopt the proposed changes.

Other Business

The committee briefly touched on the Appendix D Gambling Licence Applications, which provided an overview of recent applications and their statuses. No significant decisions were made on this topic during the meeting.

For more details, the full Public reports pack is available online.