Agenda, decisions and minutes

It was agreed that the minutes of the Licensing Committee held on 6 September 2023 be considered at the next meeting of the Committee.

It was agreed that the minutes of the Licensing Committee held on 6 September 2023 be considered at the next meeting of the Committee.

None.

None.

Licensing Committee 26 September 2023 – Jenningsbet, 80-82 Deptford High Street, SE8 4RT

I am writing in respect of the application made by Betting Shop Operations Limited for a Premises Licence under the Gambling Act 2005 forJenningsbet, 80-82 Deptford High Street, SE8 4RT, to confirm that the Committee made the determination shown below.

In the matter of the application for a Premises Licence, the Committee has considered the relevant representations made.

The Committee has made the following determination:

With a view to ensuring the promotion of the licensing objectives, in accordance with the provisions of the statutory guidance and the principles of our licensing policy, the application for a premises licence was GRANTED subject to the mandatory conditions (pursuant to section 167 of the Act) AND the default conditions (pursuant to section 168 of the Act).

In coming to a determination, the Committee considered the following matters;

1.     The Committee considered the comprehensive set of documents provided by the Applicant including the extensive Local Area Risk Assessment.

2.     The Committee noted that whilst there were a number of local betting shops already on Deptford High Street, these have significantly reduced due to closures by other businesses, and this was not a relevant consideration in determining the Application.

3.     The Committee were mindful that The Act places a legal duty on them to aim to permit gambling, in so far as it is considered to uphold the licensing objectives.

4.     Members noted that there were no objections from Responsible Authorities and considered the representation from the Licensing Authority which supported the Application and noted that the Applicant had ‘covered everything required under the Gambling Act 2005’.

5.     The Applicant has three other Premises within the local authority area and there had been no reported issues with any of them.

6.     The Committee noted the representations made by local residents and considered their concerns. However, none of the objections were able to demonstrate how the granting of the licence would ultimately undermine the Licensing Objectives.

7.     The Committee were mindful of the potential impact on children and other vulnerable groups but on balance noted that there were no representations from the relevant Social Care departments to demonstrate how the impact would undermine the Licensing Objectives.

8. Although those opposed to gaming shops wanted the application to be rejected on moral and ethical grounds, it was not an option open to members of the Committee under the Gambling Act.

9. Representation had not been received from any of the relevant authorities. It was agreed that by granting the application, the three licensing objectives would be upheld.

3.1      The Chair welcomed all parties to the Licensing Committee and outlined the procedure to be followed for the meeting. The Chair then introduced those present and invited the Senior Licensing Officer to introduce the application.

            Introduction

3.2     Ms Chown said that members were being asked to consider a premises licence application made by Betting shop Operations Limited. The premises licence application was set out in the agenda and was received and processed on 12^th July 2023. The application for the premises licence was advertised in accordance with regulations and during the 28-day consultation period, 8 objections were received from members of the public. The representations were received within the specified consultation period and are not considered vexatious or frivolous.

3.3      Ms Chown reminded members of the steps available to them when making their decision, having considered all representations and evidence heard during the hearing.

            Applicant  

3.4      Mr Woods spoke on behalf of the applicant. He said that this was an application under the Gambling Act 2005, this legislation referred to considering the application in terms of the licensing objectives. Documents had been submitted on behalf of Jenningsbet which outlined how the licensing objectives would be promoted if the licence was granted. 

3.5      Mr Woods said that Jenningsbet was a family run business and an old bookmaker. They had held up to 140 licences and there had never been an occasion when the licence objectives were not upheld. They took their obligations very seriously and was the reason why the documents submitted were very detailed.

3.6      Jenningsbet had an operation at 14 Deptford High Street, they knew the area well and had operated without any complaints from residents or the local authorities. Concerns raised by objectors had been considered, and none of the complaints related to any of their shops.

3.7      Deptford High Street previously had seven betting shops, there are now only three; there were also two adult gaming centres, but they were different establishments. No objections to the application had been received from the Police or the local authority. Jenningsbet had satisfied all the requirements under the Gambling Act. The concerns in the representations had been read. Some of the comments did not relate specifically to the Gambling Act but they had all been noted. Children would not be allowed on the premises and all the other concerns would be dealt with by the operating strategy, policies and procedures, training, and local area risk assessments.

3.8      Councillor Shrivastava said that Jenningsbet already operated on Deptford High Street. He asked why they wanted to open a second betting shop on the same road. Mr Woods said that Jenningsbet had been in the area for some years and was liked by customers. At the weekend, on occasions, it could be busy, and the applicant wanted another shop further away down the high street to offer the same facilities to customers.

3.9      Councillor Howard asked about the area assessment which referred to the closeness of schools and mental health  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

The applicant withdrew this application.

The applicant withdrew this application.