Gambling Policy

Interested parties can make representations about licence applications, or apply for a review of an existing licence. These parties are defined in the Gambling Act 2005 as follows:

For the purposes of this Part a person is an interested party in relation to a premises licence or an application for or in respect of a premises licence if, in the opinion of the licensing authority which issues the licence or to which the applications are made, the person-

1. lives sufficiently close to the premises to be likely to be affected by the authorised activities
2. has business interests that might be affected by the authorised activities
3. represents persons who satisfy paragraph (a) or (b)

The licensing authority is required by regulations to state the principles it will apply in exercising its powers under the Gambling Act 2005 to determine whether a person is an interested party in relation to a premises licence, or an application for or in respect of a premises licence.

The principles are:

1.Each case will be decided upon its merits. This authority will not apply a rigid rule to its decision making. It will consider the examples of considerations provided in the Gambling Commission's Guidance for local authorities. It will also consider the Gambling Commission's Guidance that "has business interests" should be given the widest possible interpretation and include partnerships, charities, faith groups and medical practices.

2.Interested parties can be persons who are democratically elected such as councillors and MP's. No specific evidence of being asked to represent an interested person will be required as long as the councillor / MP represents the ward likely to be affected. Likewise, parish councils likely to be affected, will be considered to be interested parties. Other than these however, this authority will generally require written evidence that a person/body (e.g. an advocate / relative) 'represents' someone who either lives sufficiently close to the premises to be likely to be affected by the authorised activities and/or has business interests that might be affected by the authorised activities. A letter from one of these persons, requesting the representation is sufficient.

3.If individuals wish to approach councillors to ask them to represent their views then care should be taken that the councillors are not part of the Licensing Committee dealing with the licence application. If there are any doubts, then please contact the licensing team.

Tel: 01493 846530
E-mail: [email protected]