Agenda item

Report of the Head of Legal Services attached.

Council received the Report of the Head of Legal Services on the Gambling Act 2005, which contained the draft revised Gambling Policy.  Subject to Council approval this Draft document would be issued for a 6 week consultation period and thereafter reported back to Council for adoption.

Members were urged by the relevant Chairperson to take part in the consultation and in particular to support the maintaining of the non-casino policy.

Members were concerned that given the percentage of low income or non-working families in the County Borough and the fact that 17 of the Authority’s electoral divisions were in the top 10% of the deprived areas in Wales, the possible addiction to gambling was a serious issue.  In particular Members mentioned the gambling machine in betting offices, over which the Local Authority had no control.

RESOLVED:      That the Draft Gambling Policy, contained as an   Appendix to the circulated report, be approved for consultation purposes.