Agenda and minutes

To appoint a Chair for the duration of the meeting.

Councillor Robert Ward nominated CouncillorChris Clark.Councillor Niroshan Sirisena seconded the motion.

TheSub-Committee RESOLVEDtoappointCouncillorClarkasChairofthe Sub-Committee.

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct and the statutory provisions of the Localism Act, Members and co-opted Members of the Council are reminded that it is a requirement to register disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) and gifts and hospitality to the value of which exceeds £50 or multiple gifts and/or instances of hospitality with a cumulative value of £50 or more when received from a single donor within a rolling twelve month period. In addition, Members and co-opted Members are reminded that unless their disclosable pecuniary interest is registered on the register of interests or is the subject of a pending notification to the Monitoring Officer, they are required to disclose those disclosable pecuniary interests at the meeting. This should be done by completing the Disclosure of Interest form and handing it to the Democratic Services representative at the start of the meeting. The Chair will then invite Members to make their disclosure orally at the commencement of Agenda item 3. Completed disclosure forms will be provided to the Monitoring Officer for inclusion on the Register of Members’ Interests.

There were none.

To receive notice of any business not on the agenda which in the opinion of the Chair, by reason of special circumstances, be considered as a matter of urgency.

There were no items of urgent business.

The Licensing Sub-Committee considered whether to grant the application for an Adult Gaming Centre Premises Licence at 91 High Street, Thornton Heath CR7 8RY and the representations received as contained in the report of the Executive Director ‘Place’. The Sub-Committee also considered the verbal representations made at the hearing by 4 objectors, a local ward councillor, the applicant and their representatives. The applicant, on request, also provided additional information in the form of Company Policies and Staff Training materials.

It was noted that the applicant consented to the introduction of new oral evidence from two members of the public who had not previously made representations.

It had also been noted that the Police withdrew their representations as the applicant amended their application to have conditions added to the licence and to a reduction of the premises operating hours.

The Sub-Committee is of the view that the existing regulation of and adherence to the Gambling Commission Guidance and Codes of Practice ensures the Applicant is a responsible operator and that gambling is conducted in a fair and proper way.

The Sub-Committee noted that the Applicant will have a:

·        Think 25 Policy,

·        Appropriate staff training in place,

·        an effective self-exclusion Scheme and test purchase regime.

The Sub-Committee made their decision with reference to the licensing objectives under the Gambling Act 2005, relevant Codes of Practice (issued by the Gambling Commission under section 24 of the Act) and the Council Statement of Principles.

The Sub-Committee did not take into consideration:

·        the commercial aspects of the business

·        concerns about indirect harm to children, as distinct from their entering the premises and taking part in gambling on-site

·        the planning regime or

·        personal, moral or ethical views on gambling.

The Sub-Committee RESOLVED to Grant this application.

The relevant conditions will be placed on the Licence. This included those suggested by the Police and those mandatory and default conditions specified by the Gambling Act 2005 (Mandatory and Default Conditions) Regulations 2007.

The Sub-Committee took the opportunity to remind the objectors that should they be of the view that the Licensing Objectives are not being promoted or adhered to they could apply for a Review of the Licence.

In closing this meeting, the Sub-Committee also thanked the applicant and objectors for their thoughtful contributions and the respectful manner in which the hearing had been conducted.

The following motion is to be moved and seconded where it is proposed to exclude the press and public from the remainder of a meeting:

“That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information falling within those paragraphs indicated in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended.”

This was not required.