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ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL ACT
Employment Agencies
At the end of 1972 there were 21 agencies operated under
licence by the Local Authority, ten less than the previous year.
All applications for agency licences are carefully vetted
and premises intended for use inspected. Annual re-inspection
as well as spot checks during the year are also made
Controlling legislation at present only requires licensing
in respect of applicants placed in permanent employment.
Gaming Act 1968 — Amusements with Prizes
It is an increasing trend in cafes and public houses to
provide for customers, amusement machines which give prizes.
The Gaming Board saw fit to include these machines within the
scope of legislation, which although one 'gambles' on them, is
gaming in one of its less socially objectional forms. Prizes are
paid in the form of tokens exchangeable for goods supplied over
the counter and not for cash
Control is considered necessary and while the Police look
after those in Public Houses, the Local Authority's Shops
Inspectors inspect cafes and restaurants and recommend the
issue of licences where considered suitable.
Points considered include access by schoolchildren,
seating capacity of the premises and positioning of the machines
In premises where schoolchildren are likely to frequent the panel
of Councillors who form the Licensing Committee insist on a
notice prohibiting use by persons under sixteen years of age
Machines are only intended for use by diners and not the
take-away trade as in the case of a fish restaurant.
At the end of the year 32 premises held licences issued
by the Local Authority
95