Agenda item

Before discussing the contents of Appendices G-K, the Committee is invited to consider the arguments for and against the disclosure of exempt information, which are set out in the Public Interest Test document on pages 144-145 of the agenda.

If satisfied that disclosure would not be in the public interest, the Committee is invited to pass the following resolution:

Having been satisfied that the public interest would be better served by not disclosing relevant information, the Committee RESOLVES, in accordance with the provisions of section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (“the Act”), that the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of Appendices G-K of the report for this item because of the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act as amended.

The Project Manager presented the report and said that the issue before the Committee was to determine which of the two applicants, at Stage Two of the Casino Competition, Apollo Resorts and Leisure Limited (“Apollo”) and Global Gaming Ventures Limited (“GGV”), should be awarded a Provisional Statement.

Members considered the arguments for and against disclosure of exempt information and RESOLVED that:

The Committee having been satisfied that the public interest would be better served by not disclosing relevant information, the public should be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of Appendices G-K of the report in accordance with the provisions of section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (“the Act”), because of the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of the Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act as amended.

Philip Kolvin QC recapitulated the background to the competition and the use of the scoring matrix.

Members considered the information about each application. They agreed the scores for each applicant for each criterion on the scoring matrix. Following further discussion, it was moved by Councillor Nicol and seconded by Councillor Chalker and RESOLVED:

1. That the application from GGV would, in the Committee’s opinion, be likely to result in the greatest benefit to the Council’s area in accordance with paragraph 5 of Schedule 9 of the Gambling Act 2005, and that GGV should therefore be awarded the Provisional Statement.

2. That the issue of any Provisional Statement  to GGV should be subject to them completing the Schedule 9 agreement offered by them at Stage 2.

3. That the  Schedule 9 agreement be sealed on behalf of the Council completed and made a condition of the Provisional Statement pursuant to section 169 of the Gambling Act 2005.

4. That the Provisional Statement should cease to have effect one year after the date of the decision notice sent to GGV.

5. To authorise the Licensing Officer to issue the Provisional Statement on behalf of the Council.