Barnet Council has become the latest local authority to write to the DCMS backing the “six point plan” to reform licensing policy originally submitted by Brent Council.

The motion was put before the committee by councillor Emma Whysall on 8 July, and received 34 votes in favour despite warnings of “scapegoating the industry.”

“The plan calls for the Government to reform the ‘aim to permit’ policy, to allow councils to refuse gambling premises that pose risks to local safety, introduce greater restrictions on gambling adverts, and direct proceeds from the statutory levy on gambling operators to fund harm and prevention treatment,” reported This Is Local London.

“Councillor Whysall said the council’s current position when considering licensing applications for gambling venues was ‘to permit,’ a result of a ‘permissive’ local legislation. She said the council was not given the opportunity to limit the number of gambling establishments, or the ability to control the density of establishments in an area.”

Barnet now joins more than 40 UK councils who have voiced their support to the proposals for reform, with the authority dismissing a counter-motion from councillor Jennifer Grocock which said “as a council we need to be wary of scapegoating the industry instead of supporting those who need the help.”