Gambling Act 2005 Introduction

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Last revised: 8 January 2009

KENNET DISTRICT COUNCIL GAMBLING ACT 2005 GAMBLING ACT LICENSING POLICY STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES

PART A 1. The Licensing Objectives
In exercising most of their functions under the Gambling Act 2005, licensing authorities must have regard to the licensing objectives as set out in section 1 of the Act. The licensing objectives are:

  • Preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime

  • Ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way

  • Protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling

It should be noted that the Gambling Commission has stated: “The requirement in relation to children is explicitly to protect them from being harmed or exploited by gambling”.

This licensing authority (Kennet District Council) is aware that, as per Section 153, in making decisions about premises licences and temporary use notices it should aim to permit the use of premises for gambling in so far as it thinks it:

  • in accordance with any relevant code of practice issued by the Gambling Commission

  • in accordance with any relevant guidance issued by the Gambling Commission

  • reasonably consistent with the licensing objectives and

  • in accordance with the authority’s statement of licensing principles

2. Introduction
Kennet District Council, is one of 4 District Councils in the Country of Wiltshire. Mainly rural and agricultural in nature the District Council covers an area of 375 square miles (96,661 Hectares) with a population of just over 74000 people.
There are four main areas of population, being Devizes, Marlborough, Tidworth and Pewsey which are surrounded by numerous small villages each with its own distinct character.

Licensing authorities are required by the Gambling Act 2005 to publish and consult on a statement of the principles which they proposed to apply when exercising their functions. This statement must be published at least every three years. The statement must also be reviewed from “time to time” and any amended parts re-consulted upon. The statement must be then re-published.
Kennet District Council will consult widely upon this statement before finalising and publishing. A list of those persons consulted is provided below at Appendix B
The Gambling Act requires that the following parties are consulted by Licensing Authorities:

  • The Chief Officer of Police;

  • One or more persons who appear to the authority to represent the interests of persons carrying on gambling businesses in the authority’s area;

  • One or more persons who appear to the authority to represent the interests of persons who are likely to be affected by the exercise of the authority’s functions under the Gambling Act 2005.

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The consultation process took place between 30th June 2006 and 29th September 2006 and we followed the revised Code of Practice (which came into effect in April 2004) and the Cabinet Office Guidance on consultations by the public sector.
The full list of comments made and the consideration by the Council of those comments will be available on request to: The Licensing Section, Kennet District Council, Browfort, Bath Road, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 2AT.
The Statement of Principles will be considered by the Full Council at its meeting on 19th December 2006 and will be published via our website if approved. Copies will be placed in the public libraries of the area as well as being available in the Council Offices.
Should you have any comments as regards this statement please send them via e-mail or letter to the following contact:

Name: Licensing Section
Address: Kennet District Council, Browfort, Bath Road, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 2AT
Please follow here to e-mail: Licensing
It should be noted that this statement will not override the right of any person to make an application, make representations about an application, or apply for a review of a licence, as each will be considered on its own merits and according to the statutory requirements of the Gambling Act 2005.



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