The Licensing Committee of Hackney Council met on Wednesday 18 November 2009, where they reviewed the Hackney Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy and approved a feedback form for Licensing Sub Committee members. The committee also made appointments to two sub-committees.

Gambling Policy Review

The committee discussed the Hackney Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy, referring to recommendations on page 3 of the agenda. An amended map, intended to replace the one on page 72 of the agenda, was distributed to members. Councillor Alan Laing, who had written a foreword to the policy, was noted as being unable to sit on any Licensing Sub Committees considering gambling licence applications.

Officers provided clarification on several points. They explained that the policy operated within the remit of the Gambling Act 2005 and its guidance, and that the council had consulted with the trade on the draft policy. Members were advised that they could make representations on applications as members of the public, provided they did not identify themselves as councillors and clearly stated their representation was made in a personal capacity and directly related to licensing objectives. A briefing note on making representations was to be re-issued by the Licensing Legal Officer. It was also confirmed that centres for vulnerable adults could not be added to the map at that late stage, as they had not been subject to consultation. However, the Licensing Team would liaise with the Safeguarding Adults team when a gambling application was received.

Members raised concerns that the circulated map did not include all schools and nurseries in the borough. Officers agreed to update the map prior to final approval, noting that if an updated map could not be produced before the Council meeting, this might be reflected as an inconsequential change within the recommendations going to Council.

Decision: The proposed Hackney Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy was commended to Cabinet for recommendation to Council.

Draft Licensing Sub Committee Members Feedback Form

The committee considered a draft feedback form for members of Licensing Sub Committees. The Licensing Legal Officer, Butta Singh, introduced the item. The Chair proposed an amendment to question 3, suggesting it be rephrased to did you have a concern about any of the following? . This change would allow members to use the form to highlight specific concerns arising from hearings and only complete it when issues arose, rather than after every meeting to comment on performance. An electronic copy of the form would be provided at Sub Committee meetings by the attending Democratic Services Officer, who would then distribute a copy to the Chair of the Licensing Committee, the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, and the relevant corporate director upon completion.

Decision: Subject to the amendment to question 3, the form was approved for use at future Licensing Sub Committee meetings.

Appointments to Sub Committees

Decision:

• Councillor Emma Plouviez was appointed to Licensing Sub Committee A.
• Councillor Geoff Taylor was appointed to Licensing Sub Committee E.

Other Business

Members expressed concern that some applicants who had attended hearings had a limited understanding of English, potentially leading to a lack of comprehension regarding agreed conditions. It was suggested that the Licensing Service should inform applicants and licensees about the option of hiring translators and translating reports and licences. The Principal Licensing Officer agreed to note these suggestions and discuss the issue with the Equalities and Diversity Team and managers within the Licensing Service.