Issue - meetings

Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment

Recommendations:-

1.    That the Cabinet notes and has due regard to the attached reports including the Equality Analysis and the consultation document appended to this report.

2.    That the proposed Sex Establishment Licensing Policy be adopted (see Appendix 2), including: proposed  ...  view the full agenda text for item 13

Consideration was given to the report which confirmed, following public consultation, the passing of a resolution by Council on 22^nd May, 2019 to adopt powers to regulate sex establishments across Rotherham from 1^st July 2019. The adoption by Council of Schedule 3 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13

Cabinet Portfolio:                 Waste, Roads and Community Safety

Strategic Directorate:           Regeneration and Environment

Consideration was given to a report submitted by the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment for pre-decision scrutiny ahead of the Cabinet meeting scheduled to take place on 10 June 2019 in respect of the proposed adoption of a policy to regulate sex establishments across the borough. It was reported that following public consultation, the Council passed a resolution on 22 May 2019 to adopt powers to regulate sex establishments across Rotherham from 1 July 2019. The adoption by Council of Schedule 3 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, now allowed the Council to set a clear policy.

It was further reported that the proposed policy would cover all sexual entertainment venues, sex cinemas and sex shops. If adopted, the Policy would allow the Local Authority to better regulate sex establishments, taking account of the views of residents, including the appropriate number and localities for such establishments and the establishment of welfare conditions for those working within such establishments. Based on the feedback from public consultation the report proposed the adoption of a Sex Establishments Policy, to be effective from 1 July 2019. Members noted that, whilst the Council would still be required to consider applications when they arise, the policy proposed that the appropriate number of Sex Entertainment Venues and Sex Cinemas in each Ward of the Borough should be nil.

Members expressed some concern that the Council might be able to defend the figure of the proposed fee for sex establishment licences. In response, officers remarked that there was a fair observation, however the authority had the power to set what it considered to be a reasonable fee and, having taken all matters into account, determined that the proposed fee was such.

There was a broad level of support for the provisions of the policy from Members, but some concerns were expressed in respect of how the authority would ensure that the provisions of the policy were being regulated, how covert visits to premises would be undertaken and how the views of workers in such establishments would be elicited. In response, officers confirmed that it would be responsibility of the Enforcement Team, which was already in operation for the regulation of licenced and business premises. The focus would continue to increase on such establishments and enforcement and regulation approaches would seek to ensure that the authority’s obligations were met to the public and those working in such established.

Resolved:-

1.      That Cabinet be advised that the recommendations be supported