URL: https://www.southampton.gov.uk/modernGov/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=3559

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health responding to the recommendations from the scrutiny enquiry into reducing gambling harms in Southampton.

Content: (i)  To receive and consider all 14 recommendations of the Scrutiny Inquiry Panel, and phased action plans (Appendix 2), noting the scale of delivery of recommendations 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 13 are subject to funding through the national gambling levy.   Recommendation 1 – Southampton City Council’s Public Health Service lead the development of, and establish governance arrangements for, a multi-agency harm reduction programme which works with others to reduce gambling prevalence and harm for residents of Southampton. Recommendation 2 – Building on the approach adopted in this inquiry, Southampton continues to listen and learn from those with lived experiences of gambling related harm, and peers that are already succeeding on this topic. Recommendation 3 – Recognising the importance of collecting, analysing, using and sharing local gambling harms data, Southampton City Council maintain and develop the Southampton City Gambling Health Needs assessment to provide an evidence base for partnership discussions and decisions. Recommendation 4 – Reflecting the value identified by the Association of Directors of Public Health in the North East and their relationship with Newcastle University, the Council seeks to engage academic and government research partners in order to deliver a multi-agency harm reduction programme (University of Southampton, NIHR (National Institute for Health & Care Research), NICE (National Institute for Health & Care Excellence)). Recommendation 5 – Opportunities are explored to share and spread the learning and profile of the Scrutiny Inquiry and emerging harm-reduction programme to raise the profile of local action and inform action elsewhere. Recommendation 6 - Use and encourage the use of the ‘Words can Hurt’ campaign as preferred language by elected members, local leaders and frontline staff when discussing gambling and gambling related harm. Recommendation 7 – Children and young people are at greater risk of experiencing gambling-related harms than others. Reflecting the risk profile, work with schools and parents on the delivery of gambling harms information and awareness sessions to children and young people in Southampton. The sessions should be evidence-based, robust, independent from gambling industry influence, and preferably delivered by specialists. Recommendation 8 – Southampton City Council engages with NHS Hampshire & IOW to run gambling harms marketing campaigns in Southampton and to publicise existing safety measures like self-exclusion schemes. Recommendation 9 - Keep the Southampton City Council website up to date with information about reducing harm from gambling, and services available to those that are experiencing harm from gambling. Recommendation 10 - Review opportunities for the Council, as an employer, to reduce gambling-related harm as it affects employees. For example, through practices, procedures and resources we use to support our employees. Recommendation 11 - Use Health in All Policies, Whole Systems and Place Shaping tools to ensure that Southampton City Council policies include and bring about the reduction of gambling prevalence and harm (beginning with Housing, Planning, Licensing and Sponsorship). Recommendation 12 – Following the letter signed by the Leader of the Council in April 2025 - Southampton City Council joins local leaders across the country in calling for urgent gambling reform - continue to advocate for reform to gambling legislation and guidance at national levels. Recommendation 13 - Review the training needs for elected members, local leaders and frontline staff around gambling related harm, implement training where necessary, following the lead of other peer authorities, such as the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the London Borough of Haringey, and Birmingham City Council. (for example through MECC (Make Every Contact Count) and Very Brief Interventions). Recommendation 14 - Engage with and support local treatment services and commissioners to support them to align to NICE (National Institute for Health & Care Excellence) guidance and share clear information on treatment and referral options and pathways. Gambling harm does not only affect individuals who gamble, but also their families, communities, and wider systems such as health, housing, employment and criminal justice. A whole system approach recognises that effective prevention and mitigation require coordinated action across multiple sectors, including public health, local authority, the NHS, education and research institutions, voluntary services and people with lived experience.   Evidence from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), the Local Government Association (LGA), and the Gambling Commission supports the use of integrated strategies – such as place-based interventions, early intervention, and targeted support – to address the social determinants and inequalities linked to gambling harms. Southampton’s approach aligns with this evidence, embedding prevention, partnership, and lived experience at the heart of local policy and action.   In line with the Council’s Constitution, the Executive (Cabinet) must consider and respond to recommendations from endorsed scrutiny inquiry reports. The scrutiny committee considered multiple options for action. Delivery plans for the full set of recommendations have been considered and are recommended. The scale of delivery of recommendations 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 13 are subject to funding through the national gambling levy.   Taking no action to reduce gambling related harm was considered and posed too great a risk to public health in Southampton as detailed below.

Date of Decision: September 25, 2025