LAST Tuesday the Scottish Government brought forward secondary legislation to provide local authorities the power to reject planning applications for new bookmakers and pay day lending shops. 

The legislation was accepted by the parliament’s delegated powers and law reform (DPLR) committee of which I am deputy convener. It comes into force on February 10 with a transition time for those with an existing licence.

I am delighted this has happened and as readers will be aware, I have campaigned against Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs) for many years. 

I have tabled questions and motions on the issue and had a debate in parliament on April 23 2014 on the impact of these FOBT machines. 

This debate occurred thanks to the report in the Tele highlighting how much money was spent locally. I also was successful in getting additional powers over FOBTs and Pay Day Lending into last year’s Scotland Act.

Local authorities have been calling for the powers to reject planning applications from new bookmakers and pay day lending, particularly those who intend turning old banks into these new shops. 

Previously, they were all classed in the same category. This has now changed. Local authorities will now be able to reject applications if they believe there will be overprovision and if a new bookmaker will adversely affect the local area. 

Rejecting applications will ensure no more FOBTs can be introduced.

I did an interview for the BBC Sunday Politics show and gave credit to the Tele for their part in this progress.