Issue - meetings

Report number ENV362 by the Environment Protection Manager.  (Enclosure)

DECISION:

That, following the consultation exercise, the Council adopt as policy the Draft Statement of Principles as the Councils statement of principles under the Gambling Act 2005.

The Council had before them the Report ENV362 of the Environmental Protection Manager which advise that Section 349 of the Gambling Act 2005 required the Licensing Authority to consult on, publish and adopt a three year Statement of Principles for the area, which may be subject to periodic revision.  The Act was due to take effect on 1^st February 2007.  There was a three month public consultation period which was required before the Statement of Principles could be adopted, this must be in place before the 1^st January 2007.  The guidance only required the Licensing Authority to “ consult widely”. 

The Draft Statement of Principles had been the subject of an equality impact assessment, a copy of which was circulated at the meeting.  In response to a question, the Environmental Protection Manager confirmed a number of groups who included among their clients local disabled people had been consulted, this included Mencap, Help the Aged, The Salvation Army and MIND. 

The motion was duly proposed, seconded and carried.

Council adjourned at 3.30pm for  tea and reconvened at 3.50pm.