Agenda and minutes

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any pecuniary interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda.

If you have a pecuniary interest you must withdraw from the meeting. Normally you should leave the room before the business starts to be discussed. You do, however, have the same right to speak as a member of the public and may remain in the room to enable you to exercise that right and then leave immediately. In either case you must not seek to improperly influence a decision on the matter.

No declarations of any interests were receieved.

General procedure points and hearing procedure for the meeting.

The Chair outlined the procedure to be used to conduct the meeting.

The Sub-Committee considered a report from the Director of Early Intervention in respect of an application under Schedule 13 of the Gambling Act 2005 for a Gaming Machine Permit for more than 2 gaming machines on behalf of the premises licence holder of The Colliers Arms, 30 Moor Road Chorley.

The premises benefits from a Premises Licence (PLA0386) issued under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003 authorising the sale of alcohol, this authorisation is a pre-requisite to enable the above application. The premises currently benefits from a gaming machine permit for three category C Machines, GMP0005 issued on 16 July 2013.

Officers attended the premises on 2 June 2016 to assess the suitability of the premises to accommodate an additional gaming machine in line with the application received. Officers noted that the premises had four Category C Gaming Machines in situ, where a permit for three machines existed.

When it was brought to his attention, the applicant apologised for the additional Machine and explained that he did not realise that the application required a committee hearing for it to be determined; Officers accepted this explanation given the manner in which the previous application had been determined. The applicant immediately complied with officer’s request to remove the fourth Gaming Machine.

The applicant’s representative confirmed that the applicant was aware of Chorley Council’s Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Licensing Policy and the Licensing Objectives. The applicant reiterated his apologies regarding the inadvertent breach of the fourth Gaming Machine to the Sub-Committee.

The applicant’s representative confirmed that all of the gaming machines were able to be monitored by the bar staff.  He confirmed that the pay-out rates and maximum winning totals (£70) are clearly signposted on all the machines.

Members were informed that crime and disorder was not an issue at the establishment. It was confirmed that that the pub exercised a challenge 21 policy.  In regards to vulnerable persons, the pub operates a self-exclusion policy whereby any individual who admits to having a gambling problem cannot use the machines for a six month period, and anyone with a gambling problem who does not voluntarily sign the self-exclusion policy will also experience a six month ban.

It was also confirmed that a notice has been produced to be strategically placed around the pub and the gaming machines and that Gamcare leaflets would be ordered and readily available at the establishment.

Member’s expressed concerns as to whether new employees had received training regarding the licensing provisions surrounding the use of gambling machines. The applicant indicated that no training had been provided but stated that all of his employees had worked in the industry for several years and exercised awareness.

Members were reminded of the Gambling Act 2005 licensing objectives and the Gambling Commission’s published code of practice, providing the requirements that must be complied with by the Gaming Machine Permit Holder.

After careful consideration of all the relevant information, the Sub Committee RESOLVED – that the application for four category C Gaming machines  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.LAS.62