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1. Purpose
1.1 The purpose of the Advisory Commission on the Newham Casino
is to advise the Mayor of Newham and Members of the Council on:
- The benefits and disadvantages of licensing a large casino in
Newham
- The issues that need to be highlighted in taking decisions
about the casino
- The different implications of the options for licensing a
casino
- The implications for Newham of lessons learned from elsewhere
in the United Kingdom and international experience
1.2 In advising the Mayor and Council to take account of:
- Academic work related to casinos, including the socio-economic
impact on areas and individuals, regeneration and development
impact, commercial and entertainment impact
- Evidence submitted by Councillors, communities, business
organisations, the voluntary sector, individuals and other
interested parties
- The aspirations of Government policy and guidance and the Codes
of Practice issued by the Gambling Commission
- The Mayor and Council's aspirations to serve the best interests
of local people and the relationship of a large casino project with
the Community Strategy
1.3 To provide the Mayor and Council with a report with
recommendations and issues to consider when they decide whether or
not to license a large casino in Newham. In preparing its report
the Commission must:
1.3.1 Comment on/amend advice prepared by the Council's monitoring
officer for Members on their involvement in strategic and
application specific decisions in relation to any large casino
premises license application (dealing with bias and the Code of
Conduct).
1.3.2 Advise the Council on the scope of it's discretion with
regard to (a) it's decision to exercise any powers granted to issue
a large premises license (or not should the Council determine such
a license is not suitable in Newham at all or at a particular
time), (b) the decision on the timing as to when (as well as what
to include) to amend the Council's Strategy to incorporate the
Statement of Principles and (c) the decision as to timing on when
to invite bids for any large casino premises license
1.3.3 Make recommendations to the council on the draft statement
of principles for inclusion in the Council's strategy ensuring they
are appropriate for the competition process including any advice on
the timing of such decision and amendment to the strategy.
1.3.4 Advise on the likely process to be followed in any large
casino application including any competition process and recommend
criteria for the evaluation of proposals arising from a competitive
process to site a casino. These criteria would include reference
to:
- Proximity - location and impact on local residents
- Physical environment inside the casino and security
- Strategies to identify and assist "problem" gamblers
- Safeguards to protect young and vulnerable people
- Benefits to the community
- Potential adverse impacts and mitigating activities
- Developing a communication and consultation strategy with the
Newham residents
- Local employment and economic development gain
- Crime and anti-social behaviour minimisation
- Building design
- Financial resources and any other matters the Commission deems
appropriate
1.4 The Commission will be required to advise on any ability by the
Council to set an acceptability threshold, either for the
provisional premise license or in relation to any subsequent
competition, which if not met by any bidder will mean that its
proposal is deemed unacceptable by the council and should not
proceed.
2. Membership
2.1 The Commission should be independent of the Council and its
membership should bring together expertise from a variety of
disciplines. Its membership includes the following individuals:
- Sir Henry Brooke - Chair of the Casino Commission
- Lord Herman Ouseley
- Bernadette Marjoram
- Lord Victor Adebowale
- Professor Tony Travers
- Lady Stratford Sally Banks
- Bill Galston
Members of the Commission are independent of the Council and
will be expected to ensure there are no conflicts of interest or
matters which would affect the public's perception of their
independence. They will be remunerated for their work.
3. Evidence
3.1 The Commission will gather evidence from a wide range of
sources:
- Best practice and research
- Related work programmes, e.g. the Night Time Economy Scrutiny
Commission
- Legislative framework, e.g. planning, licensing
- Support services, e.g. Gamecare, adult services
- Other Local Authorities
- The Gambling Commission
- Local public opinion, e.g. faith groups, voluntary groups
- Local partners, e.g. the PCT, Metropolitan Police
- Other cities which have hosted casinos
4. Timetable
4.1 The Commission must complete its work and submit its report to
the Mayor and Cabinet by summer 2007.
5. Quality Expectations
5.1 The Commission report should:
- Be produced for the purpose of publication as an addition to
the existing body of published research and evidence on the
operation and regulation of casinos, including their effects and
the measures that may be taken to mitigate any adverse effects
- Be produced to an agreed timescale
- Recommend criteria for a successful large casino in Newham,
including the measures that may mitigate any negative effect on
residents
The Council will procure an independent capacity to provide
support, advice and report writing for the Commission. This will be
in addition to any input to the Commission's work provided by the
Council's own staff and members.
6. Communications plan
6.1 The Commission will need to involve or consult with the
following stakeholder groups:
- Business leaders within Newham
- Local community groups
- A wider public consultation, complementary to that undertaken
for the Gambling Policy
- Residents
- Members
- Police
- Voluntary agencies
- Crime and Anti-social Behaviour Service
- Local Authorities within the catchment area
- Other regional and sub-regional
partners
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