Agenda and minutes

To note any changes in membership of the Committee made in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4.3.

The Committee noted that apologies had been received from Councillor Pope and Lloyd.

It was noted that following receipt of the temporary resignation of Councillor Lloyd from the Committee, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, acting under delegated powers, had appointed Councillor Hammond to replace her for the purposes of this meeting.

Councillors Galton, Hammond, Whitbread, Vassiliou, Spicer and Painton declared personal interests in Minute 18, in view of Councillor Galton’s respective status as being a member of Mint Casino (now Genting) and having visited the Genting Casino approximately twelve months ago and being a member of  Grosvenor Leisureworld, Councillor Hammond’s respective status of visiting Gala Bournemouth about 5 years ago and Grosvenor Brighton about 2 years ago and a casino in Southend about 10 years ago, Councillor Whitbread’s respective status as holding membership of Grosvenor Leisureworld and visiting in the last four months, Councillor Vassiliou’s respective status as being a member of Grosvenor Leisureworld and Genting Casino, Councillor Spicer’s respective status as holding membership of Grosvenor Leisureworld and visiting recently and Councillor Painton’s respective status as holding membership of Genting Casino and visiting in the previous week and they remained in the meeting during the consideration of the matter.

To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings held on 4 and 11 September 2014 and to deal with any matters arising, attached.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 11 September 2014 be approved and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 4 September 2014 be approved, subject to the following amendment, and signed as a correct record.

Councillors Galton, Hammond, Whitbread and Vassiliou declared personal interests in Minutes 5-11, in view of Councillor Galton’s respective status as holding membership of Grosvenor Leisureworld in the past and visiting the Mint Casino in the previous six months, as Councillor Hammond’s respective status of visiting Gala Bournemouth about 5 years ago and Grosvenor Brighton about 2 years ago and a casino in Southend about 10 years ago, and both Councillors Whitbread and Vassiliou respective status as being a member of Grosvenor Leisureworld in the past and they remained in the meeting during the consideration of the matters.

At a predetermined point during the consideration of all items the Committee may move into private session in order to receive legal advice when determining issues. The parties to the hearing, press and the public, unless otherwise excluded by Section 100A(4) Local Government Act 1972, will be invited to return immediately following that private session at which time the matter will be determined and the decision of the Committee will be announced.

RESOLVED that the parties to the hearing, press and public be excluded at a predetermined point in accordance with Section 100A(4) Local Government Act 1972 whilst the Committee reaches its decision.

Report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services requesting consideration for the timing of Stage 2 of the Large Casino Licence process, attached.

The Committee considered a request regarding the timing of Stage 2 of the Large Casino Licence process.

Mr Roberts (Solicitor, Genting), Ms Tarn (Genting Casinos UK Ltd), Mr Macgregor (Solicitor, Global Gaming Ventures Ltd) and Mr Herd (Global Gaming Ventures Ltd) were present and with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting.

Mr Nyak, on behalf of the developer, Royal Pier Waterfront, answered questions which were raised by the Committee.

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

The following decision was approved and read out at the meeting:

The Committee acknowledges the concerns regarding the meeting held on 30th September 2014. It wishes to make it clear that it comes to this decision fresh and uninfluenced by any representations or agreements made prior to today’s date by its officers, or views expressed by officers.  It also wishes to make clear that any procedural decisions in the future will be made by the Committee and the Committee alone.

The Committee rejects the proposal that the procedure be aborted.  The Committee has no reason to believe that the framework which it adopted for the granting of casino licences is unfair, and any challenge to it should have been brought when it was adopted. To abort the procedure now would, as GGV submitted, potentially allow yet further applicants into the competition, which would be unfair on existing applicants, and would result in a great deal of aborted costs.

The Committee has determined that Stage 2 shall commence on 1st January 2015. The closing date for submission of Stage 2 applications shall be 16th April 2015.

The rival positions were that Stage 2 bids should be submitted by 6th July or that they should be submitted by 6th April. The Committee notes that the provisional closing date for submission of Stage 2 bids was originally 6th January 2015, and this decision allows for over 3 months of further delay. The Committee has not heard adequate evidence to allow a delay of a yet further 3 months to July 2015. The Committee firmly intends to be fair to all parties, and considers that the date it has selected, which amounts to a very minor delay in excess of that accepted by GGV, is fair and represents a proportionate balance between the position of all parties.