Agenda item

Ellie Greenwood, Senior Advisor, introduced Mark Thurstain-Goodwin of Geofutures and provided some background information about the LGA’s work with Geofutures.

The LGA ‘Betting Commission’ acknowledged a general lack of reliable data relating to issues and concerns linked to betting shops. The LGA provided a grant to Westminster Council to commission a project with Manchester City Council looking at this issue. The project was led by Geofutures, a firm specialising in spatial data analysis and mapping.

Mr Thurstain-Goodwin explained the overall objective of the project was to develop an approach that helps to understand local area vulnerability to gambling related harm.

The first stage of the project was a review of  existing literature and data on gambling harm to identify groups where there was evidence showing they were more vulnerable to experiencing harm from gambling. The project also engaged with the industry as part of the first stage. The second stage identified datasets that could be used to map those at risk in terms of local areas.  This data was used to identify hotspots where there may be greater numbers of people who are potentially more vulnerable to harm from gambling. 

The Chair thanked Mr Thurstain-Goodwin for his presentation and invited members to ask questions. The following points were made in the ensuing discussion:

·         Data for individuals with low IQ (one of the groups identified as being at greater risk of harm from gambling) should be available in a local authority area however, the difficulty can be that it covers the whole area and is therefore not detailed enough for mapping purposes.

·         Westminster and Manchester councils have used the model to shape their local area profile and the conditions that will apply to new betting shops opening in at risk areas.

·         There has been no substantive criticism of the model or its methodology, partly because Geofutures took a very open approach in making the methodology available and engaging with industry and others, and the evidence is seen to be robust.

·         Finding and obtaining permissions to use the required data has been an issue in developing the model however, once agreements are in place data can be gathered quickly.

·         The LGA is having discussions about making a version of this model available to members using available national datasets depending on the cost implications.

Decision:

The Board noted the discussion and agreed to monitor the extent the model is used by Westminster and Manchester councils, and for officers to provide an update on licensing and planning issues in relation to betting shops, including when shops close.

Action:

Officers to progress in line with members comments and to update the Board on licensing and FOBTs, with options to consider for further work.