To receive any announcements and matters of communication from the Chairman.

There were none.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 7 November 2012.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            (attached)

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 November 2012 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To receive from Members any declarations of interest.

Councillor Dalgarno declared an interest upon Item No 6 due to him being named as promoter in his capacity as a Scout Leader in Arlesey, for the gambling licence held by the Scout Group.

To receive any questions in accordance with the Scheme of Public Participation set out in Annex 2 in Part A4 of the Constitution.

There were none.

To approve the Gambling Act 2005 Policy.

                                                                                                            (To follow)

The Committee received and considered a report of the Director of Sustainable Communities seeking approval of the Central Bedfordshire Gambling Policy 2013.

The Committee noted that Central Bedfordshire Council had previously adopted a Statement of Gambling Policy in 2010.  The policy lasts for a period of three years at which time the Council is required to undertake a review and adopt a new policy.  The Council was therefore now required to conduct the review and adopt a new Gambling Policy by 31 January 2013.  The policy set out the approach Central Bedfordshire Council would take towards any application for a gambling licence and the duration of the licence, subject to any revisions in the intervening time, was for a period of 3 years.

RESOLVED

1.            that the Gambling Policy, attached at Appendix A to the report be approved;

2.            that the Gambling Policy be recommended to Council to adopt;

3.            that the Assistant Director of Community Safety and Public Protection, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities, be given delegated authority to undertake any necessary minor amendments to the policy prior to publication.