Agenda and decisions

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.

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.

The applicant withdrew this application.