Location: Council Chamber, Daneshill House
Present: Members: Councillors, C. Latif (Vice-Chair in the Chair), T.G.M. Kent, CC, J. Lloyd, CC, M. Notley, J.A. Pickersgill and P. Stuart
Others: Ian Huett, Claire Culmer and Dominic Smith - Rileys
Duration:
Start Time: 2.00pm
End Time: 2.45pm
Status: Noted
Business: Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors D.W. Cullen, CC, B. Jackson, P.D. Kissane, L. Knight, JP, M.P. Patston, Mrs. L.G. Strange and H.C.L. Tessier.
There were no declarations of interest.
Decision:
Status: Not Agreed
Business: The Committee Administrator introduced the applicants to the Committee.
The Chair introduced the Members and officers present to the applicants and explained the procedure to be followed at the meeting.
The Licensing Officer informed the Committee that an application for the provision of Section 16 amusements with prizes (otherwise than by machines for gaming) under the Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976 was received from Rileys Snooker Club in Letchmore Road, Stevenage on the 17th February, 2006.
The Committee were advised that Riley's were currently permitted up to 3 'jackpot' machines that had a maximum prize of £250. There were currently 4 jackpot machines at the premises but Rileys had advised that only 3 are operational at any given time.
The Licensing Officer advised that on receipt of the application, advice was taken from the Gambling Commission who confirmed that their guidance stated that it was undesirable for Section 16 machines to be located in any premises frequented by, or environments attractive to, under 18 year olds.
The Chair then invited Ian Huett from Rileys to address the Committee.
Mr. Huett stated that Rileys was a large organisation running 165 businesses across Europe dealing mainly with cue sports.
The Committee were advised that 11% of their Members were juniors - 14-17 year olds. Junior Members were permitted on the premises until 6pm unaccompanied and must be with an adult member after that time. Access to the premises was controlled by a security door system and all persons were signed in on a computer entry system. Junior Members were not permitted to stay in the bar area, where alcohol was served and the jackpot machines were located but they had to pass through the area to access the snooker and pool tables.
Mr. Huett also advised that the intention was for 2 of the 4 existing 'jackpot' machines to be replaced with section 16 machines.
The Members of the Committee asked a number of questions of the applicants.
After each party had summed up their case, the Chair asked the applicant, the objector and the Licensing Officer to leave the meeting whilst the Committee considered the matters raised.
Following a thorough consideration of the application by Members the applicants and the Licensing Officer were invited back into the meeting to hear the Committees decision.
Decision: It was RESOLVED:-
That having considered all the evidence from both sides and taken into consideration the guidance from the Gambling Commission, the Committee refuses the application by Rileys for the provision of Section 16 amusement with prizes machines on the following grounds:-
1. That it was undesireable to grant the licence as the machines are to be located in the premises which are frequented by and attractive to under 18's.
2. As the premises already have 4 machines, it was undesireable to increase the numbers and types of machines.
The applicants were advised of their right of appeal to the Crown Court.
Status: Noted
Business: None.
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: None.
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: None.
Decision: