Public Consultation launched on Sefton Council's Gambling Licensing Policy

AS part of Sefton Council's licensing duties, it is seeking the views of residents across the Borough on how it implements gambling laws at businesses such as betting shops. A Public Consultation will run from Monday, 8 February 2021 to Monday, 5 April 2021. The Council's Licensing Unit will be seeking the views of local businesses with gambling licenses, as well as key partners including Police and Public Health colleagues and members of the community. Under the Gambling Act 2005, the Council is the Licensing Authority for processing certain gambling applications. This means that a Statement of Licensing Policy must be in place, and reviewed every 3 years, to show specifically how the Council understands the law. As the Policy is up for review, people interested in submitting their views are encouraged to take part in the consultation. All comments will be collated, and as a result, changes will be suggested to the draft Policy.

Cllr John Kelly, Chair of Sefton Council's Licensing and Regulatory Committee, said:- "Sefton, like all Local Authorities, has a duty to periodically review its licensing Policies. This is an opportunity for not just the owners of gambling businesses to submit their views, but for anyone across Sefton to find out more about how we process gambling licenses and how they feel our Policy could be amended. Please take the time to read about the proposed Policy and tell us what you think about it."

People can take part on the Your Sefton Your Say website. Alternatively, those wishing to offer their views who do not have access to the online consultation, can contact the Licensing Unit via email:- Licensing@Sefton.Gov.UK or by calling:- 03451400845. The Council will try to meet any other requirements that anyone may have that will allow them to engage in the consultation process.

ACCORDING to a new survey by Rooster Insurance, England's Capital is home to the greatest number of drivers with poor or dangerous driving habits. 34% Londoners surveyed confess to having had a motoring fine in the last 5 years; which is 16% higher than the national average. Sadly, the North West up to now was 1 of the best, have become the average standard, but overall Wales has come out the best!

Londoners confess to regularly following a number of bad driving habits; including:- braking sharply, cornering narrowly and using mobile phones; both hands free or otherwise; while driving.

31% admit they have received a speeding ticket, 12% have either been warned about or been fined by Police for using their mobile phones while driving and 8% have been involved in an accident.

The capital's driving conditions could be a factor in these figures; with 56% believing that both the weather and the roads being busy (31%) contribute negatively towards the quality of their driving.

In fact, 27% say the complex 1 way systems in London affects their driving ability, while 27% believe it is complex roundabouts.

The research also revealed which other Regions in the UK harbour some of the worst drivers, with the North East (26%) and West Midlands (24%) taking the 2nd and 3rd spots when quizzed on whether they had a motoring offence in the last 5 years.

Drivers in the West Midlands were also 1 of the most likely to regularly read texts and emails while on the road.

Next on the list was East Midlands, where more than 1 in 5 (21%) of those surveyed confess to having a driving offence, followed closely by North West (16%) and East England (16%).

15% of South East residents confess to having a driving offence in the last 5 years, followed by 13% of those who live in Yorkshire. In fact, drivers in the South East are also the most likely to regularly speed.

It was South West (13%) who appeared next on the list, followed by North Wales (12%), which completed the top 10 list.

Richard Tucker, founder at Rooster Insurance, comments:- "As a big City with lots of complex roads and congestion, it's not entirely surprising that the data shows that London harbours some of the worst drivers in Britain. But it's not just Londoners who have admitted to their bad driving habits, as the nation confesses to regularly speeding, reading messages or emails and eating while driving. It's crucial that Brits are being safe on the roads, as it's offences like this which can lead onto fines, whilst also putting others at risk. Make sure to be aware of your surroundings, checking your speed limit regularly and leaving your phone in a safe place so you won't be distracted by any flashing messages as you drive."

Rooster Insurance is a brand new way for good drivers to buy car insurance. Drivers download the Rooster Insurance app on Apple or Android, drive around for about 3 weeks, then get a premium based primarily on their driving behaviour.

For 10 Regions harbouring the worst drivers in the UK:-

1. London (34%)

2. North East (26%)

3. West Midlands (24%)

4. East Midlands (21%)

5. North West (16%)

6. East England (16%)

7. South East (15%)

8. Yorkshire (13%)

9. South West (13%)

10. North Wales (12%)

For more information and to take the test and get a quote, please visit:- JoinRooster.Co.UK.