Give councils power to reject Megasinos say Lib Dems

1.17.59pm GMT Fri 26th Nov 2004

Liberal Democrat Councillors have won their call for action by the City Council to lobby the Government to make improvements to the Gambling Bill.

At last night's full Council meeting, the Lib Dems successfully moved that pressure should be put on the Government to provide powers to local authorities to reject specific 'megasino' applications.

Speaking at the meeting Lib Dem Group Leader Councillor David Watkins said: 'This will give local authorities the powers they need to reject inappriopriate applications for megasinos.'

Following the amendment, the Chief Executive will make representations to the Secretary of State Tessa Jowell and the City's MPs to:

-Provide adequate powers to local authorities to reject specific casinos or the conversion of other D2 use class premises into casinos;

-Establish a single use class for casinos;

-Impose adequate controls on the number and location of regional casinos and on the number and type of gambling machines contained;

-Express concerns that the Bill could create the conditions for a large number of overseas-owned super casinos;

-Seek assurances over concerns of a further reduction of funds available for good causes from the National Lottery and that a significant increase in problem gambling could arise.