Date issued: 8 October 2018
Colchester Borough Council is inviting comments on its proposed draft Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy for 2019-22 which, under the Gambling Act 2005, the council must review and re-adopt every three years.
The Policy sets out the principles that the council, as licensing authority, will generally apply to promote the national licensing objectives when making decisions on applications for gambling licences.
The views of residents, business, statutory bodies and other organisations are welcomed during the four week consultation running from today, Monday 8 October to Sunday 5 November 2018. The draft policy is available online at www.colchester.gov.uk/gamblingconsultation.
The most significant changes to the proposed revised Gambling Licensing Policy are the requirement for applicants to carry out a risk assessment, and the development of a Local Area Profile (LAP) which maps risk factors across the borough and will help to identify areas that would not be suitable for new gambling premises.
The LAP has been created by drawing upon the council’s existing knowledge and expertise and that of its partners to produce a comprehensive profile of local risks. It will be updated periodically to reflect changes to the local environment landscape.
The proposed Policy also sets out how gambling licence applications will be determined and how all licensed premises are expected to operate.
The Gambling Licensing Policy supports the Livewell Colchester campaign and the council’s Better Colchester campaign which aims to make Colchester a better place to live, work and visit.
Councillor Mike Lilley, Portfolio Holder for Planning, Public Safety and Licensing, said: “The wellbeing of our residents is a key priority for the council and the Gambling Policy has a role to play in this. We are really keen to hear from those who may be directly or indirectly affected by gambling premises in the town centre and I would encourage them to submit their views online by 5 November.”
Page last reviewed: 8 October 2018