To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 20 November 2023.

Decision

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 31 October 2023.

The report of the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing is enclosed.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing which presented the proposed final revision of the Council’s Statement of Principles for Gambling in Manchester 2025-28.

The Council’s Licensing Manager introduced the report and reminded the Committee that the Council is required to produce a Gambling Policy every three years to set out how it will implement the requirements of the Gambling Act within Manchester.

The next revision of the policy is required to be in place, with effect from January 2025. The review undertaken sets out a minor refresh of the current policy in anticipation of updates to the Guidance to Local Authorities from the Gambling Commission.

The draft policy has been updated to include signposting and references to the Greater Manchester Gambling Harms - Strategic Needs Assessment, and to include a requirement for supporting documentation for premises gaming machines permit applications, as detailed in paragraph 2.2 of the report submitted.

The process of producing the draft policy included a consultation involving various interested groups and through the council’s website. The responses received were submitted within Appendix 1 of the report.

The chair invited members of the Committee to ask questions.

A member referred to the safety of staff working in licensed gambling premises and asked what arrangements are in place to ensure that staff members are safe. Many gambling premises have gambling machines and staff may be left alone to manage customers late at night. Officers were asked how premises are monitored to ensure they are adhering to the hours of operation and that staff are safe.

The Licensing Manager reported that licensed operators are encouraged to participate in the ‘Safebet Alliance’ to ensure that licensed gambling premises are safe and secure places for staff members. The Safebet Alliance focusses on identifying and reducing risk to staff and the prevention of criminality. Where a licensed operator does not take part, it is expected that the operator can demonstrate how they provide adequate security measures within premises. Licensing premises have default opening hours of 7:00am – 10:00pm. If the premises operator proposes to change those hours they will need to apply for an amendment to their licence. Monitoring of gambling premises for enforcement purposes is undertaken by Licensing out of hours staff through routine inspections or when a complaint is received about a premises.

The member referred to the representation on the Safebet Alliance forum and questioned those representing the premises may not those staff members who work late or in isolation. Officers were asked to consider the make-up of the Safebet Alliance to better reflect the staff members affected.

The Licensing Manager noted the comment and undertook to raise the issue of representation with the Safebet Alliance.

Decisions

1. To note the responses received to the consultation and the proposed changes to the policy.

2. To note the comments received concerning the safety of staff working in gambling premises and representatives of gambling premises operators on the Safebet Alliance.

3. To recommend to Council to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

The report of the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing is enclosed.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing which provided information on the proposed revision of the Council’s Policy for Street Trading.

The licensing Manager introduced the report which included the current policy that was last revised in 2012. It was noted that the revised version of the Policy for Street Trading was not yet finalised, and work was ongoing to progress the amendments. Details of the intended changes to the policy included:

• Improved environmental considerations and promotion of sustainability, e.g. ensuring the restrictions on the supply of single-use plastics are complied with
• Full review of the Standard Conditions
• Limitation on the maximum time a mobile trader (e.g. ice cream van) can remain in situ
• Distinguish between annual trading and occasional trading (for more limited periods) and those linked to specific events, where it does not qualify for a market rights licence
• Confirm the requirement of a commercial waste contract
• Confirming prohibition of sub-letting any street trading pitch
• Requirement to make full use of their licence or consent
• Requirement for public liability insurance
• Presumption against trading at residential property 
• Review of designation of streets (‘prohibited streets’, ‘licensed streets’ or ‘consent streets’) to recognise the evolving nature of Manchester to reflect development across the city. 

The committee was informed that a 12-week consultation will commence in January 2025. Once completed, a copy of the draft policy will be circulated to the committee for comment.

The Chair invited the committee to ask questions.

A member referred to the designation of streets in particular Market Street within the city centre and the high number of traders operating on the public walkway.

The Licensing Manager stated that there are a number of street traders on Market Street who are covered by the Street Trading Policy. The large number of street peddlers also operating on Market Street are not covered by the Street trading policy and are covered by the City of Manchester Act.

The Chair informed the committee that the issue street peddlers is being considered through other routes. 

The Chair referred to Paragraph 3.10.1 of the policy concerning the location of Street Traders in proximity to residential properties and requested that this be amended to include “residential housing estates and new residential developments”.

Decisions

1. Approve the intended approach to review the policy and designation of streets.

2. Approve the inclusion of the amendment as detailed above concerning the location of Street Traders in proximity to residential properties and the amendment of the policy to include “residential housing estates and new residential developments”.