25 September 2009, 09/216
Take a gamble and give us your views!
Gambling establishments and residents are being asked to give
their views on the Council’s revised policy for licensing gambling
premises across West Lancashire.
In 2006 the Council took over the responsibilities from the
local Magistrates’ Courts for issuing licenses for premises such as
bingo clubs and betting offices, as well as permits for gaming
machines in pubs, clubs and other alcohol licensed premises.
As part of these duties under the Gambling Act 2005, the Council
was required to publish a ‘statement of policy’ to set out how it
would enforce this new responsibility. The document has to be
renewed every three years, so the Council is now in the process of
refreshing the policy and wants comments from the public and
interested stakeholders.
People have until 2 December to give their views.
Councillor Andrew Fowler, Portfolio Holder for Community
Services, said: "Our policy promotes three licensing objectives:
preventing crime or disorder, ensuring that gambling is conducted
in a fair and open way, and, protecting children and other
vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling. It
was three years ago that we first took on the responsibility for
issuing gambling licenses and to ensure that our policy still fully
reflects the needs and views of the borough we want to give people
another opportunity to comment on the draft before we re-launch it
next year."
To read the document and submit comments on the draft gambling
policy, visit the Council’s website www.westlancs.gov.uk/gamblingact and fill in an
online form.
Alternatively, email your comments to licensing.enquiries@westlancs.gov.uk,
post your comments in to West Lancashire Borough Council, Gambling
Act 2005 Consultation, Westec House, Derby Street, Ormskirk, L39
2DQ, or fax your comments through on 01695 585126.
Hard copies of the draft policy are available on request by
contacting the Council’s Licensing Service at the above address or
on 01695 577177.
The Gambling Act 2005 became law on the 7 April 2005 and
replaced most of the existing law involving gambling in Great
Britain. The idea behind it was to provide an improved and more
comprehensive structure of gambling regulation.
Related information