Agenda item

Ellie Greenwood, LGA Senior Adviser introduced the report and updated Members on the activity of the Betting Commission since the last Board meeting. The first meeting of the commission took place in April and provided an opportunity for discussion on issues relating to betting shop clustering and Fixed Odd Betting Terminals (FOBTs).

The Board were reminded that following the first meeting of the commission the Government announced a series of proposals addressing concerns on betting shop clustering and FOBTs, including:

•           Consulting on creating a separate planning use class for  betting and payday loan shops

•           Player protection measures that end unsupervised high stakes (+£50) play and

•           Further work on introducing a think 25 initiative in gambling advertising.

At the second meeting in June the commission discussed the government’s proposals.  Betting industry representatives expressed concern that some councils will use any change in planning use classes as an attempt to introduce a blanket ban on any new betting shops.

The second meeting also discussed the scope for creating a framework or set of principles for local engagement between councils and betting shops. Ellie informed the Board that there were good examples of engagement between councils and betting shops, for example Ealing Council and Lewisham’s Deptford High St Charter. It was agreed that a sub-group of the Commission would develop an approach for consideration at the next meeting.

Cllr Page, LGA Licensing Champion noted a number of additional points including:

•           The Government’s consultation on this had not yet been published. Moreover, sections of industry have indicated that they may challenge the proposal on competition grounds.

•           The change in planning use, if implemented, will relate only to new premises, not existing premises, and so will not address existing clusters of betting shops.

•           It will be important that any planning changes do not impact on councils’ ability to further diversifying local high streets.

Members welcomed the report and raised a number of comments including:

•           Having a separate use class for planning purposes would enable councils to          better plan in the future the location of betting shops.

•           The health objective needs to be looked at in more depth, and include the issue of poverty being caused by gambling. Members agreed that local Health and Wellbeing Boards were the appropriate committee to address this at a local level.

•           An update of the old LACORS Gambling Act handbook would be helpful and should be circulated to all councils.

Actions:

Officers to progress the Betting Commission work and update of the Gambling Act handbook.

Decision:

Members noted the report and asked the LGA to keep lobbying the Government on betting shop clustering and FOBT’s.