Agenda and draft minutes
PDF 325 KBVenue: MS Teams
Contact: Emma Perry, Principal Committee Co-ordinator
Note: Webcast: use the link on the agenda front sheet or paste the following into your browser: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NDkzYWYxZjktNzRkYS00MmQ0LWJjNzQtMGUxZGZiZjBjOWY5%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%226ddfa760-8cd5-44a8-8e48-d8ca487731c3%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%228a500144-a59b-44b4-a40d-ec469273f784%22%2c%22IsBroadcastMeeting%22%3atrue%7d
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FILMING AT MEETINGS Please note this meeting may be filmed or recorded by the Council for live or subsequent broadcast via the Council’s internet site or by anyone attending the meeting using any communication method. Members of the public participating in the meeting (e.g. making deputations, asking questions, making oral protests) should be aware that they are likely to be filmed, recorded or reported on. By entering the ‘meeting room’, you are consenting to being filmed and to the possible use of those images and sound recordings.
The Chair of the meeting has the discretion to terminate or suspend filming or recording, if in his or her opinion continuation of the filming, recording or reporting would disrupt or prejudice the proceedings, infringe the rights of any individual, or may lead to the breach of a legal obligation by the Council.
Minutes: The meeting was live streamed on the Council’s website. |
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Apologies for Absence Minutes: There were no apologies for absence. |
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Urgent Business It being a special meeting of the Sub Committee, under Part Four, Section B, Paragraph 17, of the Council’s Constitution, no other business shall be considered at the meeting. Minutes: In accordance with Part 4 Section B, Paragraph 17 of the Council’s Constitution, no other business was considered. |
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Declarations of Interest A member with a disclosable pecuniary interest or a prejudicial interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered:
(i) must disclose the interest at the start of the meeting or when the interest becomes apparent, and (ii) may not participate in any discussion or vote on the matter and must withdraw from the meeting room.
A member who discloses at a meeting a disclosable pecuniary interest which is not registered in the Register of Members’ Interests or the subject of a pending notification must notify the Monitoring Officer of the interest within 28 days of the disclosure.
Disclosable pecuniary interests, personal interests and prejudicial interests are defined at Paragraphs 5-7 and Appendix A of the Members’ Code of Conduct. Minutes: None. |
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Additional documents:
Minutes: Daliah Barratt, Licensing Officer, introduced the report as set out.
Maria Ahmad, Public Health, presented the Public Health representation in relation to the application. There were six schools and children centres within 500 metres of the premises, along with clusters of five betting shops. The application did not align with the Borough Plan to close the health inequalities gap. The location of the premises was close to a drug treatment service which provide services for 2400 people – some of whom were at increased risk of problem gambling. Increasing the number of gambling premises normalised the harmful culture of gambling.
Philip Kolvin, QC for the applicant, responded to the representation and informed the Committee that the applicant was not applying to open a betting shop, but an adult gaming centre. He asked for evidence that these premises would increase crime in the area. Ms Ahmad responded that the Public Health representation outlined the crimes which had resulted from the presence of a gaming centre on the High Road. There was further evidence to show that the more betting or gambling outlets around, there was an increased risk of crime or anti-social behaviour in that area.
Councillor Matt White addressed the Committee on behalf of residents in Bruce Grove ward. When the application had been received, Councillor White had contacted the Safer Neighbourhood Team, who considered that another gambling establishment would increase anti-social behaviour in the area. There were no sufficient safeguards or mitigations which could be put into place to sufficiently address the protection of children.
Councillor Zena Brabazon addressed the Committee on behalf of residents and as a local resident herself. She felt that the amount of mitigation submitted by the applicant in order to make the premises run suggested that there was absolute clarity on the risks and how volatile the area could be.
Philip Kolvin, QC for the applicant, introduced the application. The CEO of City Gaming Ltd, Adam Hodges, had been in the industry for 34 years and had held a personal license for the past 13 years. The Chief Commercial Officer, Stuart Green, had managed gaming centres in various areas for 29 years. There had been no evidence presented to provide that the additional of a gaming centre in the area would increase gambling harm.
A number of policies and mitigations had been put forward by the applicant which would address all concerns raised. Mr Kolvin added that there was no evidence that the introduction of this premises would increase crime and disorder.
The applicants responded to questions from the Committee: - The premises had been refurbished from a derelict site, and would create 15 jobs. - There was no smoking shelter, so any smoking would take place on the street. - Challenge 25 would be in place. - Staff would be trained to be observant of habits, patterns and behaviours of customers to identify suspicious behaviour in terms of money laundering. - All covid measures would be implemented.
All parties summed up ... view the full minutes text for item 10. |