03 Appendix D Consultation summary., 02/03/2026 Cabinet

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Hastings Borough Council consulted on its Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles, receiving responses from residents and from East Sussex County Council's Public Health team, working jointly with Children's Services and Trading Standards. p24

Respondents raised concerns about deprivation and vulnerability, clustering of gambling premises, and the need for stronger risk assessments, enforcement and monitoring. p2p3p4p6

Officers propose strengthening the Local Area Profile with additional local data, expanding local risk assessment requirements, increasing proactive enforcement, and including Public Health as a voluntary consultee. p27p34p37p43

Officers recommend retaining the No Casino Resolution, citing Hastings' vulnerability levels and the objective to protect children and vulnerable people. p46

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• p2• Deprivation & vulnerability highlighted as key local risk factors
• p3• Clustering of gambling premises flagged as a recurring concern
• p4• Need for stronger Local Risk Assessments (LRAs) and harm‑reduction measures
• p6• Desire for better enforcement, monitoring and partnership working
• p241. Overview As part of the statutory review of the Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles (SoP), Hastings Borough Council received submissions from residents and from East Sussex County Council’s Public Health team (responding jointly with Children’s Services and Trading Standards). Responses highlight significant concerns around local vulnerability, clustering, harm prevention, enforcement, and the role of Public Health in licensing. Officers have considered all representations and propose a set of measured policy amendments aligned with legislation, Gambling Commission guidance, and the Council’s strategic priorities.
• p27Officers agree that the SoP should better reflect Hastings’ vulnerability profile. The Local Area Profile (LAP) will be strengthened with additional local data sources, including the East
• p34Officer Response: Officers will revise the LRA section to provide a more comprehensive list of factors operators are expected to consider, including those proposed by Public Health. The SoP will explicitly reference Social Responsibility Code 3.4.1 and associated customer‑interaction guidance.
• p37The SoP will incorporate a strengthened compliance statement, confirming that proactive inspections and monitoring of customer‑interaction practices will be prioritised. Information sharing will be undertaken in accordance with GDPR while supporting public protection.
• p43Although not a statutory Responsible Authority under the Act, officers recognise the importance of Public Health expertise. The revised SoP will include Public Health as a voluntary consultee for premises‑related matters, and the Council will work with the East Sussex Gambling Harms Prevention Partnership.
• p46Officer Response: Officers recommend retaining the No Casino Resolution. This reflects Hastings’ high vulnerability levels, aligns with the licensing objective to protect children and vulnerable persons, and is consistent with the Council’s broader public‑health and community‑safety priorities.