The Licensing and General Purposes Committee of Barnet Council met on Monday 01 June 2026 to review annual reports from various council departments and discuss future work plans. Key discussions included the progress of Trading Standards, Environmental Health, and the proposed Gambling Statement of Principles.

Trading Standards Annual Report

The committee received the Trading Standards Annual Report for 2025-2026, presented by Yvette Lynch, Head of Counter Fraud and Trading Standards. The report detailed the team's activities, including handling over 1,600 consumer complaints, achieving two successful criminal prosecutions, and closing down three businesses for illegal trading. A significant amount of illegal and counterfeit goods, with an estimated market value of over £500,000, were seized. The team also issued £123,000 in fines to non-compliant letting agents and referred five cases for financial investigation under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. Councillors commended the team's work, noting that fines and costs awarded could be reinvested into further enforcement. The report also highlighted challenges in enforcing businesses based overseas, with mitigation strategies including website takedowns.

Environmental Health and Pest Control Annual Report

The committee reviewed the Environmental Health, Health and Safety Annual Report and the Pest Control Annual Report for 2025-2026. The report detailed the Commercial Environmental Health Team's work in enforcing health and safety regulations for businesses within Barnet. The team inspects businesses, investigates complaints and accidents, and provides advice and training. The report also covered the Pest Control Service, which operates under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act to control rats and mice. Councillors raised questions about whether pest control efforts were focused on residential properties or open spaces, and how to encourage residents to manage their waste responsibly. The need for inter-departmental cooperation to address issues like pest control was emphasised.

Gambling Statement of Principles

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the proposed Gambling Statement of Principles for 2027-2030. The committee discussed the requirement for local authorities to publish such a statement every three years and the need for public consultation on any revisions. Councillors raised concerns about the number of gambling establishments and sought clarity on whether new legislation would provide greater flexibility in issuing licenses. It was explained that while some proposed reforms to the Gambling Act had not yet received Royal Assent, the English Devolution and Communities Empowerment Act 2026 would introduce gambling impact assessments, allowing local authorities more control over refusals and the inclusion of local information on harms and mapping in their policies. The discussion also touched upon the challenges of controlling the proliferation of gambling premises, with national legislation often favouring their establishment, and the difficulty of objecting on planning grounds. A joint project with public health was mentioned, which aims to map gambling establishments alongside areas of deprivation to gather evidence for potential policy changes. The draft statement of principles was approved for public consultation, with the final proposals to be reported back in November.

Committee Forward Work Plan

The committee noted the Forward Work Plan for 2026-2027. This plan outlines upcoming reports and decisions, including annual reports from Licensing, Trading Standards, Environmental Health, and the Gambling Statement of Principles. The committee also discussed potential dates for future meetings, with a preference for the 23rd of November, subject to governance agreement.