Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that Councillor Richard Barnes be appointed Chair for this Licensing Sub-Committee meeting.

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The Chair explained the procedure that would be followed at the meeting.

The Sub-Committee considered an application for a New Adult Gaming Centre Licence under section 159 of the Gambling Act 2005 Little Vegas 214 Station Road Edgware HA8 7AR.

RESOLVED that the parties be excluded from the meeting, together with the press and public, in accordance with the Regulation 14(2) of the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings and Regulations 2005).

Prior to exclusion, parties were notified that the decision of the Sub-Committee would be announced within 5 working days.

The Sub-Committee deliberated in private session, accompanied by the Officer from HB Public Law and the Governance Officer.

Decision

Re: Application for an adult gaming centre by Chongie Entertainment Limited

Premises: Little Vegas, 214 Station Road, Edgware HA8 7AR

1.        This is an application for an adult gaming centre by Chongie Entertainment Limited (the “Applicant”) for the premises known Little Vegas, 214 Station Road, Edgware HA8 7AR (the “Premises”).  There was one objector to the application, which was Councillor Gordon, who is one of the Councillors for the Ward where the Premises are located.

2.        The Applicant was represented by their Solicitor along with three employees of the Applicant, and Councillor Gordon was also in attendance.

3.        The Sub-Committee reviewed and considered the written and oral representations by the parties, which included a supplemental bundle of documents submitted by the Applicant prior to the date of the hearing.  

4.        The application and the Applicant’s additional bundle included their Local Area Risk Assessments, which identifies the local risks in and around the location of the Premises and the measures proposed by the Applicant on how it would seek to address those risks in accordance with the Gambling Commission’s code of practice, the Gambling Commission’s guidance, the licensing objectives and Barnet’s Statement of Principles in relation to the Gambling Act 2005. 

5.        With regard to the licensing objectives, the application, along with the Applicant’s local area risk assessment and supplemental documents set out various measures the Applicant intends to take to address concerns regarding crime and disorder and the protection of children and vulnerable persons from being exploited.  These include the installation and use of CCTV, a Challenge 25 scheme, use of a magnetic locking device on the main entrance / exit at times of concern, a staff alert button.  There will be signs highlighting that under-18s are not permitted to enter the Premises and staff will be positioned near the main entrance to prevent entry by under-18s.  The Applicant briefly explained some of the self-help measures available to customers if they feel they are gambling more than they should, and also explained the soft contact measures staff undertake in interacting with customers to assess how their mood and demeanour.

6.        The Applicant explained that they assess staffing levels depending on customer use of a premises, and that in the event only one member of staff is on duty they will be able to monitor the Premises and access to the same via CCTV and the maglock system on the main door.

7.        Councillor Gordon reiterated his concerns as set out in his representation, including a study by a Professor Griffiths showing a correlation between the number of gambling premises in an area and crime and disorder.  He also expanded on the number of other gambling premises, including betting shops, in the close vicinity of the Premises, along with his concern over schools and other vulnerable people being near to the Premises and the effect another gambling premises may have on them.  He also stated that Edgware was a suburban place and that it was not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

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