The Licensing, Environment & Safety Committee met on Wednesday 24 September 2025, where they noted a report on the Gambling Policy - Statement of Licensing Principles 2025-2028, and also considered a number of applications for Private Hire Driver's licences. The committee granted three of the applications, and refused one.

Gambling Policy - Statement of Licensing Principles 2025-2028

The committee noted the report of the Director of Place Management regarding the review, consultation, and publication of the Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Licensing Principles 2025-2028 (The Policy).

The Gambling Act 2005 requires all local authorities to review, consult, and publish a statement of the principles of licensing every three years. The last policy was published in 2022. A public consultation on the updated policy took place between 4 August and 12 September 2025, and no comments were received.

The proposed Gambling Policy aligns with those across the Greater Manchester region, while recognising local demographics. The policy makes a commitment to review the policy once the changes proposed in the government's review of the Gambling Act are known.

The proposed Gambling Policy will go forward for governance as follows:

• 13 October 2025 Report to Scrutiny Committee
• 4 November 2025 Report to Cabinet
• 13 November 2025 Report to Council

Private Hire Driver's Licence Applications

The committee considered four reports from the Director for Place Management detailing the previous convictions of new applicants for Private Hire Driver's licences. For each case, the committee interviewed the driver in relation to these matters.

• Case Number P1814 - The application was granted.
• Case Number P1815 - The application was granted.
• Case Number P1816 - The application was refused.
• Case Number P1817 - The application was granted.