Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies had been received from Cllrs Simon Coles, Hugh Davies, Lance Duddridge, Mike Murphy and Brian Smedley

To approve the minutes from the previous meeting.

The minutes of the meeting of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee held on 24 June 2024 were approved.

To receive and note any declarations of interests in respect of any matters included on the agenda for consideration at this meeting.

(The other registrable interests of Councillors of Somerset Council, arising from membership of City, Town or Parish Councils and other Local Authorities will automatically be recorded in the minutes: City, Town & Parish Twin Hatters - Somerset Councillors 2023 ).

Cllr Marcus Kravis declared an interest in that he held a Bingo Licence.

Cllr Simon Carswell declared an interest in that he held a Gambling Licence.

The Chair to advise the Committee of any items on which members of the public have requested to speak and advise those members of the public present of the details of the Council’s public participation scheme.

For those members of the public who have submitted any questions or statements, please note, a three minute time limit applies to each speaker and you will be asked to speak before Councillors debate the issue.

We are now live webcasting most of our committee meetings and you are welcome to view and listen to the discussion. The link to each webcast will be available on the meeting webpage, please see details under ‘click here to join online meeting’.

No questions or statements were received

To recommend to Full Council that the Statement of Principles published at Appendix 1 of the report be published for a 3-year period, ending on 31 January 2028.

The Licensing Manager, John Rendell, introduced the report which stated that Somerset Council’s current Statement of Principles in respect of the Gambling Act 2005 had been adopted in January 2024. 

However, the Statement of Principles needed to be re-adopted again at this time to ensure it was entirely consistent with the Act and therefore not vulnerable to legal challenge.

The Officer confirmed there had been no changes to the Statement and recommended that the current Statement be republished.

During the discussion, the Members the current Statement had been considered thoroughly in January 2024.

Members further noted it may be necessary to make changes to the Statement in the near future but for now the current Statement could be republished without change.

Cllr Tony Lock proposed that the Committee recommend to Full Council that the Statement of Principles published at Appendix 1 of the report be published for a 3-year period, ending on 31 January 2028.  This was seconded by Cllr Andy Soughton, and carried unanimously.

RESOLVED

To recommend to Full Council that the Statement of Principles published at Appendix 1 of the report be published for a 3-year period, ending on 31 January 2028.