Members of the Committee were asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non pecuniary interests in connection with any application on the agenda and state the nature of the interest.

No such declarations were made.

To approve the accuracy of the minutes of the meeting held on 2 June 2015.

Resolved – That the accuracy of the minutes of the meeting held on 2 June 2015 be approved.

The Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment sought Members’ approval of the Draft Statement of Principles under The Gambling Act 2005 in order that it may be circulated for consultation and a final Statement be presented to Council for approval on 14 December 2015.

The Licensing Manager reported that the Council has been the Licensing Authority responsible for granting premises licence in Wirral since 1 September 2007 and also had the responsibility for Gaming Machine Permits, Temporary Use Notices and Occasional Use Notices as well as the registration of Small Society Lotteries.

The Gambling Act 2005 required the Council to prepare and publish a statement of Licensing Principles that the Authority would apply when considering applications under the Act and it was a requirement that this Policy document be reviewed every three years.  A revised Draft Statement of Licensing Principles was attached to the report which would be circulated for consultation if approved by Members.

The Licensing Manager responded to a number of questions from Members and agreed to attend to typographical amendments identified by Councillor Niblock.

Councillor Ellis referred to the title of the draft Statement and raised the question as to whether it should be referred to as the Draft Statement of Policy as opposed to the Draft Statement of Principles.

It was moved by Councillor S Niblock and seconded by Councillor J Salter that –

“(1)  The Draft Statement of Principles be changed to the Draft Statement of Policy.

(2)  That the Draft Statement of Licensing Policy be approved as a document to be consulted upon so that a final statement can be considered by Council on 14 December 2015 for approval as the Statement of Policy to be applied under The Gambling Act 2005.

(3)  That the words “and are encouraged by this Authority” be inserted into paragraph 27.4 of the Statement and that typographical amendments identified by Councillor Niblock be amended as appropriate.”

Resolved –

(1)  That the Draft Statement of Principles be changed to the Draft Statement of Policy.

(2)  That the Draft Statement of Licensing Policy be approved as a document to be consulted upon so that a final statement can be considered by Council on 14 December 2015 for approval as the Statement of Policy to be applied under The Gambling Act 2005.

(3)  That the words “and are encouraged by this Authority” be inserted into paragraph 27.4 of the Statement that typographical amendments identified by Councillor Niblock be amended as appropriate.