Licensing Consultations

Statement of Licensing Principles under the Gambling Act 2005

The Gambling Act 2005 aims to promote three key licensing objectives to enable more freedom for business operators and customers, while clamping down on crime and disorder and protecting children and the vulnerable.

The key objectives are:

• Preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder, or being used to support crime,
• Ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way, and
• Protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling

The Gambling Commission will be responsible for granting operating and personal licences for commercial gambling and personnel working in the gambling industry.

The Council is responsible for granting premises licences for gambling premises such as betting shops, amusement arcades and bingo halls; it also issues permits for gaming machines and operates a lottery registration scheme.

At least every 3 years, the Council must review and adopt a Statement of Licensing Principles that details how the Council will undertake its licensing functions.  The current Statement of Licensing Policy has been in effect since 3 January 2019 therefore the Council has undertaken a full review. The proposed policy sets out the approach the Council will take when determining applications and reviews. 

The Statement of Licensing Policy is open to public consultation between Monday 12 July 2021 and Friday 3 September 2021.

To assist with the consultation process, all proposed amendments to existing Policy are highlighted in red text.

All consultation responses should be sent by email to licensing@north-herts.gov.uk or by post to:

The Licensing Manager
North Hertfordshire District Council
P O Box 10613
Nottingham
NG6 6DW

All consultation responses may be published within a public report.