The Licensing (Premises) Committee of Buckinghamshire Council was scheduled to meet on Thursday 19 March 2026. The primary item on the agenda was a review and proposed adjustment of fees for gambling premises licences for the upcoming financial year.

Gambling Premises Licence Fees 2026-27

The committee was scheduled to consider a proposed 5% increase in fees for gambling premises licences for the 2026-27 financial year. This adjustment is intended to ensure that the council's gambling licensing regime remains cost-neutral, meaning that the income generated from licence fees covers the expenses of providing the service, as required by the Gambling Act 2005.

The report presented to the committee outlined that the current fees were set to cover costs, but projected increases in operational expenses, including staffing and support services, necessitate the proposed rise. The council currently licenses 30 betting offices, 4 adult gaming centres, and 3 bingo premises. The report indicated that if fees remained unchanged, the service could face a deficit.

The proposed increase aims to maintain the cost-neutral status of the service, with the new fees intended to take effect from 1 April 2026. The report detailed the current and proposed fees for various types of gambling premises licences, including large casinos, small casinos, bingo halls, adult gaming centres, betting premises, family entertainment centres, and betting premises (track). It also listed fees for Temporary Use Notices.

Additionally, the report noted that some fees, such as those for small society lotteries and gaming machine permits, are set by central government and cannot be altered locally. The committee was informed that there is no statutory requirement for public consultation when setting these fees, and the responsibility lies with the Licensing Committee. The report also referenced the council's Statement of Licensing Policy under the Gambling Act 2005, which was adopted on 26 February 2025 and took effect from 1 April 2025.

The committee was presented with a table detailing the proposed fees, which included a 5% increase across most categories, ensuring that the revenue from licence fees continues to meet the costs of delivering the gambling licensing regime without generating a surplus. The report stated that the proposed increase is considered necessary and proportionate and that there are no net impacts on the council's medium-term financial plan.

The committee was also scheduled to note the date of the next meeting, which was set for 21 April 2026 at 6:30 pm.