Agenda item

To consider the report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services seeking the Committee to consider and determine an application made by Global Gaming Ventures (RP) Ltd for the grant of a provisional statement in respect of a large casino licence for new premises that will be part of the proposed new Royal Pier Waterfront development, attached.

The Committee considered the application for a large casino provisional statement by Global Gaming Ventures (RP) Ltd at the proposed Royal Pier Waterfront Development.

Mr Macgregor (Solicitor) was present and with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting.

The Committee heard a representation from Mr Linecar (Southampton Commons and Parks Protection Society) in relation to the Kymeira application.  The issues raised were carried forward and considered in relation to the application.

The Committee noted that the representations from Hampshire Constabulary and Southampton City Council, as licensing authority had been withdrawn.

All applications were heard before any decision was taken on the applications.

The Committee considered the decision in confidential session in accordance with the Local Government Act, 1972 Section 100A(4). 

RESOLVED

(i)  that a provisional decision be made to grant the application for a provisional statement to Global Ventures (RP) Ltd at the proposed Royal Pier Waterfront development, subject to three conditions agreed with the applicant, set out below;

Conditions

·  Prohibiting visibility of gambling facilities from the exterior of the premises;

·  Requiring the operation of Challenge 25;

·  Preventing access to the smoking terrace except via the casino.

(ii)  to exclude the default condition as to hours of operation.

After private deliberation the Committee reconvened and the Chair read the decision which included any conditions, however the full decision and reasons for the decision would follow.  All parties would receive written confirmation of the decision with reasons.

Reasons

The Committee has considered, in accordance with Schedule 9 paragraph 4 of the Gambling Act 2005, whether it would grant this provisional statement if it had power to grant more than one premises licence for Southampton. The Committee’s jurisdiction in that regard is governed by section 153 of the Gambling Act 2005 which requires the licensing authority to aim to permit the use of premises for gambling in so far as the authority thinks it:

(a)  in accordance with any relevant code of practice issued by the Gambling Commission;

(b)  in accordance with any relevant guidance issued by the Commission;

(c)  reasonably consistent with the licensing objectives (subject to (a) and (b));

(d)  in accordance with the authority’s gambling licensing policy (subject to (a) – (c).

In applying that test, the Committee may not have regard to the expected demand for the proposed facility (s 153)(3)) and nor may it have regard to whether the proposal is likely to be permitted in accordance with planning or building law (s 210). This approach applies both to the principle of the licence sought and to the application to exclude the default condition relating to hours of operation. The Committee may not have regard to information which is relevant at Stage 2 of the Schedule 9 procedure unless it is also relevant to the determination at Stage 1 (see Regulation 6 of the Gambling (Inviting Competing Applications for Large and Small Casino Premises Licences) Regulations 2008 and paragraph 4.4 of the Secretary of State’s Code of Practice). Furthermore, the Committee may not at this stage have regard to whether any of the competing applications is more deserving of being granted (Schedule 9 paragraph 4(2)(a) Gambling Act 2005). The Committee confirms that it has obeyed all of these requirements.

The Committee is satisfied that GGV will be able to operate a casino which is regulatorily compliant, and that any casino would need to have an operating licence from the Gambling Commission which is subject to compliance with the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice. This includes control of entry to prevent the admission of children.

The Committee has not considered the question of whether there may be crime and disorder in the vicinity arising from the operation of the casino. This is because there is no detailed design for the casino, nor detailed designs for the wider development. These are matters which may be considered in any future gambling premises licence application, the planning process and any application for a Licensing Act 2003 licence.

In the circumstances, the Committee is satisfied that the relevant tests have been met and that it is appropriate to make a provisional decision to grant the application.

For the avoidance of doubt, any eventual licence for these premises will be subject to the statutory conditions included under:

·  sections 176(3) of the Gambling Act 2005 (as to compliance with the Commission’s Code of Practice as to access for children and young persons);

·  section 177 thereof as to the giving of credit;

·  section 183, which prohibits the use of the premises for gambling on Christmas Day.

The Committee was impressed with the Community Action on Responsible Gambling offered by a competitor, and was informed that GGV staff had in their former posts been instrumental in its establishment. It has considered whether to attach a condition to this grant requiring a similar scheme. It has decided not to, because it is confident that at Stage 2 the applicant will wish to offer a scheme which provides for community engagement and democratic accountability in the way it promotes socially responsible gambling.

The Committee notes that the plans are at an early stage of evolution and expresses at least some concern about secondary entrances directly adjacent to parkland. No doubt this is something to which the applicant would wish to give close attention as its plans develop.

Given that there are competing applications for the large casino licence, this is a provisional decision issued under Schedule 9 paragraph 4(2)(c) of the Gambling Act 2005. Since other applications have been successful at Stage 1, then those applications will join this one at Stage 2 of the competition.