To consider the following Notice of Motion (2/25), submitted by Councillor Heneghan:
National Gambling Reform
This Council notes:
This council notes that gambling companies have been found to be targeting the least well-off areas for new sites. Residents have expressed concerns about this in King's Lynn and at present the borough council is effectively powerless to stop it.
Section 153 of the Gambling Act 2005 enshrines the ‘Aim to Permit’ principle, which requires councils to approve gambling licences where minimum criteria are met, regardless of local community opposition.
This Council resolves to:
o Reform the ‘Aim to Permit’ policy to allow councils to refuse gambling premises that pose risks to local welfare and safety.
o Place all gambling premises (including adult gaming centres and bingo halls) in a single planning category to prevent loopholes.
o Give councils the power to consider local social and health factors, such as debt and proximity to schools, when reviewing planning applications.
o Direct the proceeds from the new statutory levy on gambling operators, to independent public bodies and local health authorities for harm prevention and treatment.
o Introduce greater restrictions on gambling advertising, sponsorships, and promotions – especially those reaching children and vulnerable groups.
o Halt any proposals that further liberalise adult gaming centres, including spin speeds and staking levels on B3 machines.
Minutes:
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Councillor Heneghan, seconded by Councillor Bone, proposed the below Notice of Motion.
“This Council notes that gambling companies have been found to targeting the least well-off areas for new sites. Residents have expressed concerns about this in King’s Lynn and at present the borough council is effectively powerless to stop it. Section 153 of the Gambling Act 2005 enshrines the ‘Aim to Permit’ principle, which requires councils to approve gambling licences where minimum criteria are met, regardless of local community opposition.
This Council resolves to:
· Join a growing coalition of 40+ other local authorities and write to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport calling for urgent reforms to restore decision-making powers to local authorities.
· Support the Six Point Plan for Gambling Reform:
o Reform the ‘Aim to Permit’ policy to allow councils to refuse gambling premises that pose risks to local welfare and safety.
o Place all gambling premises (including adult gaming centres and bingo halls) in a single planning category to prevent loopholes.
o Give councils the power to consider local social and health factors, such as debt and proximity to schools, when reviewing planning applications.
o Direct the proceeds from the new statutory levy on gambling operators, to independent public bodies and local health authorities for harm prevention and treatment.
o Introduce greater restrictions on gambling advertising, sponsorships, and promotions – especially those reaching children and vulnerable groups.
o Halt any proposals that further liberalise adult gaming centres, including spin speeds and staking levels on B3 machines.
Councillor Sayers proposed an amendment to the Notice of Motion to add:
· Write to the Local Government Association (LGA) expressing this Council’s support for national lobbying efforts to strengthen local authority powers over gambling premises to protect residents from harm.
Councillors Heneghan and Bone accepted the amendment to the Notice of Motion.
Council debated the Notice of Motion, as amended.
Councillor Kemp spoke in support of the Notice of Motion and the harms of gambling, especially during a cost of living crisis.
Councillor Moriarty spoke on the Motion, reminding Council that there was legislation in place which the Council had to abide by and he noted that the broader issue would be presented to a future Environment and Community Panel meeting for consideration. Councillor Moriarty reminded Council that the Statement of Licensing Policy was presented to Council in 2024 and had been widely consulted on before adoption. Councillor Moriarty provided an overview of recent licences that had been granted and the consideration the Council had to have in regard to the Licensing Objectives.
Councillor Moriarty agreed to check and confirm to Members that the Council had already written to government to indicate their support for the six point plan for gambling reform.
Councillor Rust spoke in support of the Notice of Motion and the harms of online gambling, for which the Council had no control.
Councillor Sayers thanked Councillor Heneghan for highlighting this important issue and commented that the lack of local control over gambling was serious and he welcomed the chance to strengthen support.
Councillor Long spoke in support of the Notice of Motion and hoped that the government lobbying would be successful.
Councillor Dark spoke in support of the Notice of Motion but felt that it could have been brought to the attention of Council in a better way.
Councillor Joyce spoke in support of the Motion and commented that it was not just about the premises, but who was the designated premises supervisor.
Councillor Devulapalli spoke in support and referred to the cost and pressure that gambling had on the health sector.
Councillor Bone spoke in support and made reference to the impact gambling could have on people who were vulnerable.
Councillor Heneghan summed up and was pleased with the cross party support.
RESOLVED: The Notice of Motion, as amended, was approved, as set out below:
· Support the Six Point Plan for Gambling Reform:
o Reform the ‘Aim to Permit’ policy to allow councils to refuse gambling premises that pose risks to local welfare and safety.
o Place all gambling premises (including adult gaming centres and bingo halls) in a single planning category to prevent loopholes.
o Give councils the power to consider local social and health factors, such as debt and proximity to schools, when reviewing planning applications.
o Direct the proceeds from the new statutory levy on gambling operators, to independent public bodies and local health authorities for harm prevention and treatment.
o Introduce greater restrictions on gambling advertising, sponsorships, and promotions – especially those reaching children and vulnerable groups.
o Halt any proposals that further liberalise adult gaming centres, including spin speeds and staking levels on B3 machines.
o Write to the Local Government Association (LGA) expressing this Council’s support for national lobbying efforts to strengthen local authority powers over gambling premises to protect residents from harm.