Introduction
The Gambling Act 2005 transferred the Magistrates' Courts' former responsibilities for the licensing of gambling premises to the city council.
The Act requires the council to prepare, adopt and publish a "Statement of Principles" setting out the council's approach to applications under the Act and the information it expects applicants to provide.
The revised Statement of Principles was adopted at the full council meeting on 20th January 2010 and is in effect from 31st January 2010 until 31st January 2013 - the document appears below.
Purpose of the Statement of Principles
The Statement of Principles guides the administration of licensing under the Gambling Act 2005 and will assist in ensuring that an appropriate balance is drawn between the interests of those wishing to provide and take part in legal gambling, and those who might be affected by such activities. The council continues to work with the Police, licence holders, and other agencies to achieve this objective.
The Statement of Principles is one of a number of strategies which form part of a coordinated approach to dealing with the community safety and crime and disorder issues which may arise. The council is working with other partner agencies to ensure that these strategies are properly integrated.
Revision of the Statement of Principles
The Gambling Act 2005 requires the council to review the Statement of Principles from time to time, at most in a three-yearly cycle.
With this in mind, a revised statement of principles was reported to full Council on 16th September 2009, and was published for formal consultation with various agencies business and community representatives as of Monday 28th September.
The revised Statement of Principles was adopted by full Council at its meeting on 20th January 2010 and is available below.
Contact details
If you have any comments on the Statement of Principles, please send them in writing to the Licensing Team
It would be of assistance if any such communication were clearly marked “Gambling Act 2005 - Statement of Licensing Principles".
Southampton City Council
