Localism Bill

195: After Clause 30, insert the following new Clause— ““CHAPTER 8 Powers in relation to casino premises licence Variation of licences: abolition of permitted areas (1) A relevant local authority may consider and, if thought fit, grant an application to vary a converted casino premises licence so that it relates to premises to which it did not previously relate and may do so regardless of whether or not— (a) the premises to which the application relates are situated in the area of the relevant local authority which issued the licence; and (b) the area of the relevant local authority in which those premises are situated was a permitted area when the converted casino premises licence was originally issued. (2) Subsection (1) shall not require a relevant local authority to consider any application to vary a converted casino premises licence if that local authority has passed a resolution under section 166 of the Gambling Act 2005 (resolution not to issue casino licences) and that resolution is in effect at the time the application is made. (3) In Schedule 4 to the Gambling Act 2005 (Commencement No. 6 and Transitional Provisions) (Amendment) Order 2006 (transitional provisions), for sub-paragraph (13) of paragraph 65 (application of the Gambling Act 2005 to casino premises licences granted on a conversion application) substitute— ““(13) An application to vary a converted casino premises licence so that it relates to premises to which it did not previously relate shall be made— (a) in the case of premises wholly or partly situated in the area of the licensing authority which issued the licence, to that licencing authority; or (b) in the case of premises wholly or partly situated in the area of another licensing authority, to that other licensing authority, and section 213(f) (definition of licensing authority) shall apply to such an application as if the licensing authority considering such an application under paragraph (b) was the authority which issued that licence. (14) Nothing in paragraph (13)(b) shall require a licensing authority to consider or grant an application to vary a converted casino premises licence so that it relates to premises to which it did not previously relate if— (a) the premises are wholly or partly situated in the area of a licensing authority which did not issue the licence; and (b) the licensing authority has resolved under section 166 not to issue casino premises licences and that resolution is in effect at the time the application is made.””. (4) In this section— ““converted casino premises licence”” has the same meaning as in the Gambling Act 2005 (Commencement No. 6 and Transitional Provisions) (Amendment) Order 2006; ““permitted area”” means the area of a local authority which was a permitted area for the purposes of the Gaming Act 1968; ““relevant local authority”” means a local authority in England, Wales or Scotland which is a licensing authority under the Gambling Act 2005.””