4 June 2020 RHRG APG Meeting Minutes

Minutes - RHRG APG Meeting

Date: Thursday 4th June 2020
Time: 1:00pm
Location: Remote via Microsoft Teams
Chairperson: Robbie Butler MLA
Minute taker: Megan McDermott, Chambré

Members Present
Robbie Butler MLA (RB)
Philip McGuigan MLA (PMc)
Gordon Dunne MLA (GD)
Jim Wells MLA (JW)
John Stewart MLA (JS)
Maolíosa McHugh MLA (MMc)
Pat Catney MLA (PC)
Paula Bradley MLA (PB)
Paula Bradshaw MLA (PJB)

Apologies
David Hilditch MLA
Justin McNulty MLA
Mark Durkan MLA
Pam Cameron MLA
Sinéad Bradley MLA
Sinéad Ennis MLA

External Guests
Dr Paul Kitchin (PK) - School of Sport, Ulster University
Will Chambré (WC) – Chambré (Secretariat)
Megan McDermott (MMD) – Chambré (Secretariat)

Minutes

Welcome
Chairperson, Robbie Butler (RB) welcomed members and noted the high level of interest in the APG and praised the momentum already achieved.

Minutes of last meeting
It was agreed that the minutes gave a true and accurate reflection of the inaugural meeting of the group held on 3rd March. RB proposed the minutes for acceptance, this was seconded by PMc.

Presentation: Dr Paul Kitchin, Ulster University - impact of Covid-19 on gambling addiction
PK provided a 10-minute presentation on a research project he is proposing with the British Academy to study the impact of gambling marketing during Covid-19 on the gambling attitude and behaviour of young adults in NI (July 2020 -June 2021).

Questions
PK took questions from members and left the meeting at 13:25

Actions

• Members agreed to write to the Minister of Health and Minister for Communities outlining concerns about the impact of Covid-19 on individuals vulnerable to gambling harm and asking what support is currently available to this group, whilst highlighting the absence of a reference to problem gambling in the Mental Health Action Plan.

• Members agreed to write to the Chairperson’s of the Communities and Health Committees, which are currently able to discuss anything that’s Covid related.

• Members agreed that the APG issue a press release highlighting concerns around gambling operators potentially exploiting the vulnerable through advertising and direct marketing during the lockdown.

• RB provided an update from the APG secretariat on the DfC gambling consultation

• Members agreed the APG write to debt charity Step Change requesting a meeting

• Members agreed the APG write to the Minister of Health and Minister for Communities requesting that relevant officials attend future meetings of the APG as observers as a standing point.

• Members agreed the secretariat circulate a draft term of reference for the inquiry based on the discussions of members for consideration and agreement.

• Members agreed the APG circulate an inquiry schedule and dates of evidence sessions as well as details of stakeholders to be invited to give evidence.

• Members agreed to schedule the first inquiry evidence session to take place at the next meeting of the APG.

• Members agreed to invite observers to the next meeting. This was seconded by JW.

• Members agreed they were content to continue with the Twitter account @GamHarmAPG

• Members agreed to invite proposals from web developers to design and build the APG website.

AOB
Members agreed to hear from an Education Authority representative at the next meeting of the APG, for an update on where the EA and Department of Education are regarding a programme they are developing with YGAM (Young Gamers & Gamblers Education Trust).

Date of next meeting
It was agreed that the next meeting would provisionally take place in mid-September with date to be confirmed in August, given uncertainties around Covid.