The Licensing Sub-Committee of Barnet Council is scheduled to consider an application for a premises licence for an Adult Gaming Centre. The meeting will also include a discussion on the committee's hearing procedure.

Merkur Slots UK, 867 Finchley Road

A significant item on the agenda is the application for a premises licence for an Adult Gaming Centre (AGC) at 867 Finchley Road, London NW11 8RR. The report pack details that this application is made by Merkur Slots UK Ltd under the Gambling Act 2005¹ and is for a new Adult Gaming Centre Licence.

The report pack indicates that the Licensing Team has received a valid representation from the Council's Public Health directorate. This representation raises concerns regarding the potential impact of granting the licence on the licensing objectives of preventing gambling from being a source of crime and disorder, and protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling. The Public Health directorate's submission highlights that Barnet has a higher than average demand for gambling support services and that AGCs, which primarily offer electronic gaming machines, are consistently associated with elevated levels of gambling-related harm. They also note that the proposed premises is located in an area with increasing levels of deprivation and crime.

The Metropolitan Police, however, have reviewed the measures offered by the applicant within their operating schedule and have confirmed they have no objections, having agreed on proposed conditions. The applicant, Merkur Slots UK Ltd, has also proposed a number of additional conditions to be attached to the licence, including CCTV installation, an incident log, a Challenge 25 proof of age scheme, and specific requirements for staffing and toilet checks.

The report pack also includes a Local Area Risk Assessment (LARA) from Merkur Slots UK, which details their operational policies and procedures aimed at promoting the licensing objectives. This assessment considers factors such as local crime statistics, the proximity of schools and community facilities, and the demographics of the area.

The committee is expected to consider the Matters for Decision section, which outlines the proposed standard days and timings for the gambling activity, noting that hours of operation for premises are not restricted under the Gambling Act 2005.

Licensing Sub-Committee Hearing Procedure

The committee is scheduled to review the Licensing Sub-Committee Hearing Procedure. This document outlines the framework for conducting hearings, based on regulations made under the Licensing Act 2003. It details the roles of the Chair, Governance Officer, and Licensing Officer, as well as the procedures for presenting cases, questioning, and deliberation. The procedure allows each party a maximum of three minutes to present their case, followed by a discussion led by the authority. The document also specifies procedures for when a determination is made at the end of the hearing and when it is announced within five working days.