To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors David Cannon and David Hilton and Councillor Sharpe was substituting.

To receive any declarations of interest.

For transparency Councillor Bhangra informed all that he held a TfL private hire licence and was a SIA close protection officer. Councillor Brar informed all that she was an RBWM licence holder.

To confirm the Part I Minutes of the meeting held on

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: that the minutes of the last meeting held on 20 April 2021 were a true and accurate record.

This was proposed by Councillor Haseler and seconded by Councillor Luxton.

Panel to note the minutes of previous licensing and public space protection order sub-committees.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: that the minutes of all the Licensing and Public Space Protection Order Sub Committees were noted by the Panel.

Panel to consider the report.

Greg Nelson, Trading Standards and Licencing Manager, started by thanking Panel Members for their assistance with the numerous sub committees. Greg Nelson introduced the report and informed the Panel of the recommendations in the report, which were:

That the Licensing Panel noted the report and Recommended to Full Council that the RBWM Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles 2022 - 2025 be adopted.

Greg Nelson pointed out a typo in the report on the last page, 116, that would be amended before the report went to Full Council. For the entry in the table that read “Applications for licenced premises, gaming machines permit”, should be Up to 2 machines and over 2 machines.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: that the report be debated.

This was proposed by Councillor Haseler and seconded by Councillor Bowden.

Councillor Haseler thanked the Officer for the report. Councillor Haseler asked that in paragraph 2.13.9, the licensing authority would expect that the licensees and the applicants would have the policies and procedures in place to protect vulnerable persons, including regular training for staff using a program. Would that program be set by the authority or do individual  companies devise their own? Was there any consistency? Greg Nelson commented that the authority would follow guidance from the gambling commission on that and it was consistent across the country.

Councillor Bowden thanked Officers for all their hard work on the licensing and public space protection sub committees. Councillor Bowden commented that there was one betting shop in the high street in Windsor which is supervised by the authority. Councillor Bowden asked who supervised the betting at both Windsor and Ascot racecourses and was informed that the authority would license the premises but it was the gambling commission that covered the events for betting. The borough had carried out a large number of test purchasing in conjunction with the gambling commission and a large number of under 18s had been refused. Councillor Bowden asked about betting shops in the Dedworth and Clewer area and it was confirmed that there were three in total. Councillor Bowden pointed out that the betting shop in Windsor town centre attracted many visitors when it was busy.

Councillor Davey asked about the fees that were charged by the authority and if any of those funds were used to help gambling addicts and was there an opportunity to create a levy. Greg Nelson responded that the answer was no, the money that was charged was set in statute and it covered the cost of issuing and policing the licence and no a levy could not be introduced.

Councillor Davies commented that she was very pleased to see, after discussion at the last meeting, that the adult and children safeguarding executive steering groups had both consulted on the policy. Also it was great to see a focus on improving safeguarding for vulnerable persons. Councillor Davies asked about the ability to seek evidence as to get effectiveness of policies and procedures that the premises had put into place, was this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 102.

1^st February 2022, 18^th April 2022.

Members noted the next meeting of the Licensing Panel would be 1 February 2022.