This meeting's agenda includes the adoption of the draft Statement of Gambling Policy Principles, the approval of minor updates to the Statement of Licensing Policy, and an update on a recent Hackney Carriage and Private Hire trade meeting.

Adoption of the draft Statement of Licensing Policy Principles under S.349 of the Gambling Act 2005

The Licensing and Safety Committee will be asked to consider the responses to a consultation on the revised draft Statement of Gambling Policy Principles (Public reports pack Thursday 19-Dec-2024 19.30 Licensing and Safety Committee). The Committee will also consider whether any amendments are needed to the draft Statement arising from the consultation.

Two responses were received. One was from the Jenningsbet group of companies who operate in Bracknell Forest, who said that they had no comments to make.

The other response was from Gamcare, an independent charity that provides information, advice and support to anyone affected by gambling harms. Gamcare asked the council to:

develop a local picture of the level of gambling harms, in order to best target resources and tailor service provision.

Gamcare also suggested that Bracknell Forest Council:

commit in its statement of principles to a public health approach to gambling

The Committee will be asked to recommend to the Full Council that the Statement be adopted, subject to any amendments agreed at the meeting.

The Committee will also be asked to recommend to the Full Council that the licensing service develops a Local Area Profile. This means mapping out local areas of concern in relation to gambling. This is not a legal requirement but may be beneficial according to the report pack:

Enabling licensing authorities to better serve their local community, by better reflecting the community and the risks within it.

Minor Updates to Statement of Licensing Policy arising from Revised S182 Guidance

The existing Licensing Policy was adopted by Full Council in January 2021, and while the Policy can remain in place for up to five years, revised Section 182 guidance issued in December 2023 relating to drink spiking includes some examples of good practice to include in the local policy.

Under the revised policy, applicants would be required to demonstrate the steps they would take to address spiking under their operating schedule. Drink spiking would also be defined in the Policy’s glossary section.

Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Trade Meeting Update

Councillor O'Regan (Vice-Chair) and Public Protection Partnership officers met with three members of the taxi trade to discuss matters affecting the trade on 14 October 2024. The Committee will receive an update on that meeting, including notes taken during it.