Health and Environmental Services Committee 20 April 2006

From Nigov

Health and Environmental Services Committee

Thursday, 20th April, 2006

SPECIAL MEETING OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

Members present: Councillor O'Reilly (Chairman); and Councillors Adamson, D. Browne, Campbell, Cush, Kelly, McCann, McCoubrey, Mhic Giolla Mhín and O'Neill

• In attendance:
  • Mr T. Martin (Head of Building Control);
  • Mr S. Hewitt (Building Control Manager); and
  • Mr J. Heaney (Committee Administrator).

Apology

An apology for inability to attend was reported from Councillor Cunningham.

Amusement Permit: Application for the Grant of New Type Permits to Premises Currently Holding Existing Amusement Permit

The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 6th March, it had deferred consideration of an application for the grant of a new type amusement permit to Funland Amusement Arcade, 133b Andersonstown Road and agreed that a special meeting to consider the matter, to which the applicant would be invited, be held at a date to be determined in conjunction with the Chairman.

Accordingly, the Head of Building Control submitted a report in respect of the grant of a new type amusement permit to premises at 133b Andersonstown Road. He outlined the various options available to the Committee and, in particular, pointed out that in cases where the holder of an Article 108 (1) (c) Amusement Permit applied for the grant of an Article 108 (1) (ca) Permit for the same premises, the Council may only refuse the application if it would have grounds to refuse to renew the existing permits. The Committee was informed that no complaints had been received in respect of the premises and the Police Service of Northern Ireland had not objected to the grant of the permit.

It was reported that Miss S. and Miss D. Fitzsimons, on behalf of the applicant, were in attendance and they were admitted to the meeting and welcomed by the Chairman (Councillor O’Reilly).

Miss D. Fitzsimons stated that the premises and the amusement arcade business contained therein had been in her family’s possession for more than twenty years, during which time they had voluntarily imposed an over eighteen only age restriction on persons entering the premises. She stated that the premises closed at 9.30 p.m. each evening and the business had not received any complaints from either local residents or from the Police Service of Northern Ireland. She stated further that, in the past, her family had worked closely with the Building Control Service in connection with the implementation of any alterations or improvements which had been suggested by the Council and informed the Committee that a number of those improvements were being implemented currently at the premises.

The Head of Building Control reported that officers from the Building Control had worked closely with the applicant and had identified some minor improvements which should be undertaken at the premises.

After discussion, the Committee agreed that the Council be recommended to grant an Amusement Permit, in accordance with Article 108 (1) (ca) of the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 in respect of the premises at 133b Andersonstown Road, subject to the satisfactory completion of those minor improvements which had been identified by the Building Control Service.

Chairman