Issue - meetings

The the report of Mr John Littlemore, the Head of Housing and Community Services was considered by the Committee which set out the proposed fees for the administration of the Gambling Act 2005.

In response to a question by a Member, Mr Littlemore advised that if the proposed fees did not meet the Council’s costs despite reaching the prescribed maximum, the General Fund would have to be used.

It was noted that representations had been made by Local Authorities to central government sometime ago following a consultation, in relation to shortfalls in Licensing Act 2003 fees which are prescribed, but nothing had come of it.  In view of this it was proposed that this issue should be raised for the next agenda of the Kent Leaders meeting to ascertain whether other Councils were experiencing shortfalls, with a view to collectively lobbying central government via the Local Government Association should this be an issue.

RESOLVED:

1)  That the Gambling Act 2005 fee levels as set out in Appendix A to the report be approved and implemented with effect from 1^st April 2018.

2)  That this issue also be raised for inclusion on the Kent Leaders’ agenda to ascertain what experiences other authorities have with a view to collectively lobbying central government via the Local Government Association  in regard to the prescribed fees for licensing matters if they do not meet costs. 
 

Voting:  Unanimous