The Committee considered the report of the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing, which provided an update on the following licensing functions:

• An update on the Government’s response to the Licensing Act (2003): post-legislative scrutiny

• An update on Martyn’s Law, Manchester’s Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) Pilot and the delivery of training associated with the pilot.

• The Manchester Arena Inquiry

• An update on the Licensing Policy Review

• Gambling update including statistics at Greater Manchester level on the number of residents experiencing the harmful effects of gambling.

The Chair welcomed the report, with particular reference to commend officers for the work undertaken with all stakeholders to deliver training for operators and staff in preparation for the implementation of Martyn’s Law.

There was a discussion about the accuracy of the reported number of residents across the Greater Manchester region who were experiencing the harmful effects of gambling. A member commented that those figures appeared be low given the size of the geographical area and established intelligence about associated levels of deprivation. It emerged that those figures were captured through self-reporting mechanisms. Scope that those figures could be exacerbated in the current Cost of Living Crisis was also highlighted. The Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing agreed to circulate a note to members of the Committee outlining the interventions/support to businesses and residents with regard to the harmful effects of gambling that the Council currently undertakes.

There was a discussion about the development of guidance for premises to enable them to support the needs of people with a disability (including those with hidden disabilities) who experience difficulties arising directly or indirectly from licensed premises’ activity. A member commented that not all types of disability would be

captured by a reliance on building regulations legislation only. The Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing referred to a wholesale review and refresh of the Council’s current guidance to raise awareness about the reasonable steps required to effectively manage issues and challenges associated with disability that may arise. An interim update would be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee. A member suggested that this particular piece of work was done in consultation with disability groups and the Council’s Lead Member for Disability.

Decision

To note the report.