Agenda item

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 and the Committee retired to consider the application.

 

RESOLVED

 

The Licensing Sub Committee carefully considered the Adult Gaming Centre (AGC),  application, the representations from the applicant, the Responsible Authorities, Ward Councillors and interested parties,  the Council’s Statement of Gambling Policy, the Gambling Act  2005 and the Gambling Commission Guidance  to Local Authorities.

 

The Committee resolved to:

 

(i)        Grant the premises licence for the AGC at 450- 454 High Road Tottenham, London, N17

(ii)       Impose the conditions set out below and

(iii)      Restrict the opening times to Monday to Saturday 0900 to 2400, Sunday 0900 to 2300

 

Reasons:.

 

The Council’s Statement of Gambling Policy recognises that the location of the proposed premises is an important consideration when determining applications and the applicant’s risk assessment must be tailored to the specific area in which they propose to operate having regard to the Local Area Profile.

 

In accordance with the Council’s Local Area profile the premises are located in an area at overall risk of gambling related harm.

 

The link between mental health, addiction, social deprivation and increased vulnerability to gambling related harm is well established; and the Committee therefore shares the concerns that granting a licence for another gambling premises in this particular area could lead to vulnerable persons being harmed or exploited by gambling.  However, section 153 of the Gambling Act 2005 requires Committees to aim to permit the Licence. The Committee has carefully considered the risk assessment, company policies and the conditions proposed by the applicant and concluded that the applicant will have in place significant and robust control methods to ensure that the licensing objective of preventing  children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling would be promoted.

 

The Committee attached weight to the fact that the Police have not made representations and concluded that although there are high levels of crime and ASB in and around Tottenham High Road, some of which is linked to gambling, it relates primarily to betting shops which operate very differently from  AGCs. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, the Committee has concluded that granting this licence to operate an AGC would not undermine the first licensing objective of preventing gambling from being a source of crime and disorder, being associated with crime and disorder or being used to support crime.

 

The licence is granted subject to the following conditions:

 

Hours

1.         The opening hours of the premises to be limited to 0900 to 2400 on Monday – Saturday and 0900 to 2300 on Sundays.

 

Staff

2.         There shall always be a minimum of 2 members of staff on duty when the premises are open.

 

3.         In addition to the 2 members of staff the Licensee will have a third staff member who will be an SIA registered Security Guard on duty between the hours of 1700 and closing.

 

4.         All staff shall be trained in recognizing drug use, conflict management and restricting service to persons under 18 years of age. The licensee shall provide training on the specific local risks to the licensing objectives that have been identified for these premises as part of the staff induction training program. Periodically provide refresher training to its entire staff working at these premises on the specific local risks to the licensing objectives. Participation in this training shall be formally recorded on each member of staffs training records which, if requested will be presented to the Licensing Authority as soon as practicable.

 

5.         The Licensee shall train staff on specific issues related to the local area and shall conduct periodic refresher training. Participation in this training shall be formally recorded and the records produced to the police or Licensing Authority upon request.

 

6.         New and seasonal staff must attend induction training and receive refresher training every six months.

 

7.         Training records shall be maintained and made available, within reasonable time, for inspection by the Police or Licensing Authority.

 

CCTV

8.         A comprehensive 4K High Definition CCTV System will be provided installed and maintained throughout the building. 12 x 4K High Definition cameras will cover all key locations, as agreed with the Police, within the premises, including:

a.         All entry and exit points;

b.         All public areas;

c.         Gaming machine areas and the counter area.

 

9.         3 x 4K cameras will be specifically focused on the High Street. One on each corner of the premises and the third focused over the doorway. 

 

10.      The Licensee will install a large “spotter screen” inside the entrance showing the live CCTV images which can be viewed by customers as they enter the premises. Included will be images from the external CCTV cameras.

 

11.      Ensure that sufficient lighting is installed outside the premises.

 

12.      All CCTV images will be recorded on a Hard Drive and retained for 30 days.

 

13.      All CCTV images to be made available for Police and Licensing Authority inspection, images to be made available in reasonable time.

 

14.      A staff member from the premises who is conversant with the procedure for making a request to the appropriate person to obtain CCTV images shall be on the premises at all times when the premises are open to the public and shall make such a request with the absolute minimum of delay when requested by an authorised officer of the Licensing Authority or the Police.

 

15.      The premises shall display notices near the entrance to the venue stating that CCTV is in operation.

 

16.      The Licensee to devise, in concert with SNT and residents,   a scheme of CCTV and lighting for Albert Place  which is to be operational when the premises open.

 

Connection to Conflict Management Centre

17.      The premises are to be connected to the City Gaming Limited Conflict Management Centre (CMC) (or equivalent external conflict management facility), such facility to be staffed by SIA licensed conflict Management Operators.

 

18.      Each member staff in the venue must be provided with a remote-control key fob or keyring, which on activation alerts the CMC.  Colour coded lights must be fitted at the premises to reassure the member of staff that they are connected to the CMC centre.

 

19.      The system must provide 2-way communications which enables the CMC operator to speak to the member of staff and the customer causing concern.

 

20.      The Licensee shall implement a policy of banning any customers who engage in crime or disorder within or outside the premises.

 

21.      The licensee will refuse entry to customers who appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

 

Access control

22.      A magnetic locking device, commonly referred to as a Maglock will be installed and maintained on the main entrance/exit to the premises which will be operable by staff.

 

23.      The front door will be locked between 1900 and closing time each day.

 

24.      Access between those hours available at the discretion of the staff with a buzzer being provided at the front door for customers to seek access.

 

25.      Front Door Entry Security system to include video images on internal screen to allow the staff member to identify those requesting access and engage with them via audio.

 

26.      The toilets will be always locked, and access controlled by staff.

 

27.      The toilet design will be created in such a way that it will have flush fittings to ensure no storage space can be gained to conceal drugs, or flat surfaces to consume drugs.

 

Engagement with the local community

28.      The Licensee will engage with the local centres for the vulnerable, and provide them with Safer Gambling information and contact details of the premises, to enable those centres for the vulnerable to contact the Licensee, should they have any concerns about an individual.

 

Crime

29.      A Gang Management Policy will be implemented, in conjunction with the Police.

 

30.      All staff shall receive training on the Gang Management Policy.

 

31.      An incident log shall be kept for the premises, and made available on request to an authorised officer of the Licensing Authority or the Police, which will record the following:

 

a.         all crimes reported to the venue;

b.         any complaints received regarding crime and disorder;

c.          any incidents of disorder;

d.         any faults in the CCTV system;

e.          any visit by a relevant authority or emergency service;

f.          challenge 25 refusals;

 

32.      The licensee shall install and maintain an intruder alarm on the premises.

 

Under 18s

33.      A Challenge 25 proof of age scheme shall be operated at the premises where the only acceptable forms of identification are recognised photographic identification cards, such as a driving licence, passport or proof of age card with the PASS Hologram.

 

34.      Posters will be prominently displayed in the premises which advise customers that no Antisocial behaviour will be tolerated, that a Challenge 25 policy is in existence and that Drinking Alcohol is not permitted on the premises.

 

35.      Third party testing on age restricted sales systems purchasing shall take at least twice a year and the results shall be provided to the Licensing Authority upon request.

 

Toilets

36.      The licensee will ensure that customer toilets are checked every hour for evidence of drug taking. Toilet checks are to be documented stating the time and member of staff who made the checks.

 

Gamcare Signage

37.      Prominent GamCare documentation will be displayed at the premises and available in discrete areas such as the toilet.

 

Homeless and Street Drinking

38.      The Licensee shall take all reasonable steps to prevent street drinking of alcohol directly outside the premises and to ban from the premises those who do so.

 

39.      The Licensee shall place a notice visible from the exterior of the premises stating that customers drinking alcohol outside the premises are not permitted and those who do so will be banned from the premises. 

 

ATM

40.      There shall be no cash point or ATM facilities on the premises