This meeting was about the adoption of two new licensing policies: one for gambling, and one for alcohol, entertainment and late night refreshment. The Committee were being asked to endorse the policies, before they would be sent to a meeting of the Full Council for a final decision. These new policies were being introduced to replace the previous policies which had been in place since 2020.

Statement of Licensing Policy required by the Licensing Act 2003

The Licensing Act 2003 introduced a number of changes to the way that alcohol, entertainment and late night refreshment are licensed in England and Wales. It introduced the 'four licensing objectives' which Local Authorities have to consider when making licensing decisions.

This Licensing Act policy document was a revision of a draft that was considered at a previous meeting of the Committee in October. Since that meeting, a public consultation had taken place to get feedback on the draft, and the final version included in this meeting's report pack contained modifications made as a result of the feedback.

The Committee were asked to endorse the revised policy so that it could be taken to a Full Council meeting for approval. If it were to be adopted, the policy would be in effect for five years.

The Licensing Act 2003 policy broadly sets out the Council's approach to licensing. It states that the Council is committed to working with its partners and stakeholders, and that it will use a risk-based inspection regime, targeting premises that present a high risk to the licensing objectives. The policy also contains detailed descriptions of what the Council will consider when making licensing decisions.

Statement of Licensing Policy required by the Gambling Act 2005

The Gambling Act 2005 introduced a number of changes to the way that gambling is licensed in England and Wales. It sets out the licensing objectives for gambling, and gives Local Authorities new powers to make licensing decisions in relation to gambling.

This Gambling Act policy document was also a revision of a draft that was considered at a previous meeting of the Committee in October. This document had also been subject to a public consultation, and the feedback received had been used to modify the original draft.

The Committee were asked to endorse this policy so that it could also be taken to a Full Council meeting for approval. If it were to be adopted, this policy would be in effect for three years.

The Gambling Act 2005 policy describes the licensing objectives for gambling, and the Council's approach to licensing gambling premises. It contains the following objectives:

Licensing Objectives

The Act sets out the three licensing objectives that must be paramount when making decisions about gambling:

• 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.

The policy document also contains details of how the Council proposes to manage the potential for increased gambling problems that result from having many gambling premises in one area, which is known as 'cumulative impact'.

Review of the Premises Licence of West Lancs Butchers and Diner

The Committee were asked to note the minutes of a meeting of the Licensing & Gambling Sub-Committee held on 3 October 2024. This meeting had been held to consider an application by Lancashire Constabulary for the review of a premises licence for West Lancs Butchers and Diner in Skelmersdale. The review application had been submitted on the grounds of preventing crime and disorder.

The minutes of the Sub-Committee meeting record that the application had been resolved by agreement between the parties, after a number of additional conditions were agreed to be added to the licence.