Group of local authorities demands greater licensing and planning powers over gambling premises

The leader of Brent Council, Cllr Muhammed Butt, wrote to the Government on behalf of 39 local authorities this month to ask for the reforms amid what he described as a "groundswell" of gambling operators popping up on the nation's high streets.

He said gambling premises are "often met with strong community opposition" and concerns from public health and community safety officials, but councils are finding themselves powerless to intervene.

The Labour leader also complained that planning refusals for gambling premises often lead to "costly drawn out legal challenge" under the current system.

To fix this, the letter asked the Government to consider implementing the following reforms "as a matter of urgency":

• reform the 'aim to permit' policy: grant local authorities the power to reject premise license applications that threaten the community's welfare and safety.
• categorisation of premises: ensure that the incoming National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) places bingo halls and adult gaming centres in the same planning category as bookmakers, so they cannot bypass caps by splitting premises.
• planning applications: allow councils to consider local household debt levels when evaluating planning applications for high street casinos, to prevent the proliferation of gambling dens in close proximity to schools, in the same way councils can limit junk food establishments in these areas.
• statutory levy for gambling harm prevention: administer the statutory levy on gambling operators for research, education, and treatment through an independent public body, further devolving funding to local health authorities.
• overhaul of gambling advertising: prohibit gambling advertising, promotion, and sponsorship to prevent exposure, especially to children and young people.
• stop progress on proposals to liberalise adult gaming centres: Follow the recommendations of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain, which underlines the need for a review of spin speed and excess staking levels on harmful B3 machines.

The letter suggested the reforms could be part of the Government's devolution agenda set out in the English Devolution White Paper.

Cllr Butt said: "The communities we serve are experiencing these detrimental impacts, owing to the proliferation of gambling venues. To be clear, we are not calling for an outright ban on gambling in any form; but instead, we are offering our collective support for much-needed reform of the legislation for the modern age."

Adam Carey