Agenda and draft minutes

To disclose or draw attention to any interests in accordance with Leeds City Council’s ‘Councillor Code of Conduct’.

No interests were made at the meeting.

Chair to facilitate introdcutions and to receive apologies.

Apologies were received from Councillors Carlisle, Finnigan, Smith and Wadsworth.

To receive an update on how Leeds City Council approaches gambling harm. This responds to the recently published document entitled “10 questions to ask if you are scrutinising gambling harm” produced by the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny (CfGS) in conjunction with the Gambling Commission. 

Included in the pack are the following documents:

-  Cover Report: Reducing Gambling Harm

-  Appendix 1: 10 Questions to Ask If You Are Scrutinising Gambling Harm (CfGS in conjunction with the Gambling Commission)

-  Appendix 2: Reducing Gambling Harms Briefing Note

-  Background paper: Gambling Regulation

The report of the Chief Officer (Elections and Regulatory) provides an update on the council-wide approach to gambling harm and the Council’s responses to the Gambling Commission document named “10 questions to ask if you are scrutinising gambling harm”.

Appended to the submitted report included the “10 questions to ask if you are scrutinising gambling harm” document, as well as a briefing note on gambling harms.

In attendance at the meeting were:

·  Councillor Harland, Executive Member for Communities

·  Councillor Marshall-Katung, Scrutiny Board Chair – Adults, Health, and Active Lifestyles

·  Sue Duckworth, LCC Principal Licensing Officer, Entertainment Licensing

·  Grace Lawrenson, LCC Senior Policy Development Officer, Financial Inclusion

·  Nicola Raper, LCC Section Head, Entertainment Licensing

·  Matt Gaskell, NHS Northern Gambling Service

The Principal Licensing Officer introduced the report and provided some context in relation to the regulation of gambling and explained how the regulation of gambling is split between the Gambling Commission and local authority. It was noted that the local authority does not have as many powers as the Gambling Commission and can only apply conditions to applications submitted to the local authority, to ensure that applications do not negatively impact the locality. It was also confirmed that the number of applications the local authority considers each year, is minimal, typically receiving 1-2 applications per year, if any. The local authority is being proactive in terms of researching, campaigning, and working in partnership to help those affected by gambling.

The NHS Northern Gambling representative provided an overview of how his service responds to gambling harm; the service opened in September 2019 and is commissioned by NHS England. The service also covers Yorkshire and Humber, as well as Northwest England and has other regional clinics in Sunderland and Manchester. The representative explained how workers in the service are multi-skilled and will often focus on an individual gambler, including those affected by that individual, as well as treating co-occurring mental health issues associated with gambling.  The service receives between 500 – 600 referrals per year, and research shows that 70% are male, between the ages of 20 – 30 years of age. The most common type of gambling is reported as slot machines, in-play sports betting, and scratch cards; the most continuous forms of gambling being the most problematic gambling. The representative concluded by explaining preventative work is the most proactive and there is work to be done around reducing advertisement across the city to prevent the harm ‘before it happens’.

In responding to questions from members, the following was confirmed:

·  There is a strong relationship between LCCs Public Health and Licensing Department. Public Health established a ‘risk tool’ that is used in Licensing specifically for alcohol harm when making representations to applications and helps apply conditions to licences.

·  Leeds Community Gambling Service’s engagement team has previously undertaken work with supermarkets and local retailers who are selling scratch cards. There are 2 officers covering the city - they are keen to undertake proactive work in hotspot locations. Further to a question regarding the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

The next meeting of the Scrutiny Board (Environment, Housing & Communities) will take place at 10.30am on 2 February 2023. There will be a pre-meeting for all board members at 10.15am.

The next formal meeting will take place on Thursday, 2^nd February 2023 at 10:30 a.m. (there will be a pre-meeting for Board members at 10:00 a.m.)

The meeting concluded at 11:30 a.m.