The Strategic Director Place will submit a report (Document “N”) which updates Members on the recommendations of Corporate Overview & Scrutiny Committee, following the meeting of 12 September 2019.

Recommended –

The committee is invited to comment on the current draft Local Area Profile and other action points detailed at Section 2 of Document “N”.

(Melanie McGirk 01274 431873)

GAMBLING IN THE BRADFORD DISTRICT

The report of the Strategic Director Place, (Document “N”), highlighted the progress made in relation to the recommendations made by Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Thursday 12 September 2019, to members.

In relation to the Local Area Profile, members were informed that an interactive mapping tool had now been produced, which enabled gambling operators to consider risk in relation to specific premises location.

Members also learned that a cross departmental and cross organisational plan had not been produced yet and that there was representation by officers from the Gambling Commission.

The representative from the Gambling Commission stated that they were working with Local Authorities, Public Health and the local Police services.  Key to their work was the development of a public health approach to gambling and working with trade organisations to encourage them to improve staff awareness in relation to under 18 gambling.  However, the Gambling Commission said that there was still a lot of work that needed to be undertaken.

In response to members questions about the powers of the Gambling Commission, the officer informed members that every organisation who offers gambling need a Licence.  It is the Gambling Commission who issue the condition of a licence and the Gambling Commission can also apply individual specific conditions to gambling operators.

Furthermore, there was debate around the use of Loot boxes.  Officers stated to members that use of Loot boxes was not classed as gambling activity and the Gambling Commission had no jurisdiction over the use of Loot boxes.

There was some discussion amongst members and officers in relation to the Public Health Framework and members agreed that a copy of this should be circulated.

There was considerable discussion between members and officers in relation to the specific gambling concerns for Bradford.  Such concerns included the fact that as a City Bradford has a young profile, particularly for males aged between 18 and 25.  Officer indicated that it was this group that was more at risk to problem gambling than other sections.

Members were keen to establish if the Gambling Commission revoked gambling licences.  The representative form the Gambling Commission informed members that most of the work they undertook was with organisations who do not have a gambling licence and not revoking gambling licences.

Moreover, members expressed that even though good, robust work was being undertaken, the Local Area Profile would not mean anything, unless the cross departmental organisational plan was developed.  Furthermore, members were concerned that they had been asked about scrutinising the plan; but this had not happened.

Resolved –

(1)          This Committee would like to thanks officers for their efforts in this area and to Rob Burkett from the Gambling Commission, for his attendance and input.

(2)          This Committee requests that the Cross Departmental and Cross Organisational Plan be presented to this Committee in 6 months.  The departments involved in the development of the Plan should include but not limited to, Public Health, Children’s Social Care and Adults Social Care.

(3)          That the Public Health Framework be circulated to members of the Committee.

ACTION:  Strategic Director of Place