Stockport Labour Group has secured support from councillors from other political parties to look at ways to curb the spread of betting shops.
Labour councillors Tom McGee and Philip Harding moved a motion at Stockport Council’s Full Council Meeting on Thursday 27th June, which called for the Council to look at ways which issues around betting shops can be addressed.
There are 33 betting shops in Stockport, with 12 licensed gambling premises in the town centre alone.
Labour councillors outlined the impact of problem gambling and also the effects the ‘clustering’ of betting shops on high streets can have.
Figures released by the Stop the Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs) campaign showed that £152million was gambled in Stockport in a year on these machines alone. Each betting shop can have up to four FOBTs in each shop.
Other local councils have suggested innovative ways to try and give local people more power to limit the spread of betting shops or the clustering of shops in certain areas.
Cllr Tom McGee commented after the meeting: “There’s a real issue here about the variety of shops on our high streets and the dangers problem gambling can pose to society. Many local councils are looking for clever ways to tackle these issues, and I’m pleased all councillors backed Labour’s call to look at what can be done in Stockport.
Traditionally, betting shops used to concentrate mainly on football and horse racing but have changed very rapidly recently with the introduction of the ‘mini casino’ type gaming machines which can be highly addictive and cause real problems for gamblers.”
The full motion that was agreed by the Council read:
This Council notes –
– the importance of thriving and diverse high streets and district centres for the benefit and convenience of local communities.
– that there are 39 licensed gambling premises in Stockport, including 33 betting shops.
– that 12 of these licensed gambling premises are in the SK1 postcode area covering the town centre.
– the link between gambling addiction and a range of health and social problems including alcoholism, substance abuse and crime.
– recent changes to planning law which will allow some premises to change use to betting shops without the requirement for planning permission.
This Council further notes –
– recent efforts by other local authorities to restrict the spread of betting shops and the clustering of betting shops in particular areas.
This Council believes –
– that the Council has a duty to ensure that our high streets and district centres remain diverse.
– that the clustering of betting shops in particular areas is unwelcome.
This Council therefore requests –
– that the Chief Executive instructs relevant Council Officers to investigate the efforts being made by other local authorities to restrict the spread of betting shops and the clustering of betting shops in particular areas.
– that possible solutions to the issues in Stockport are considered urgently and relevant policy solutions presented to the Council for consideration.
– that the Council works with other AGMA local authorities to discuss a Greater Manchester-wide approach to this issue.
Proposed by Cllr Tom McGee
Seconded by Cllr Philip Harding