Agenda item

Report from the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment.

Recommendation:

1.    That Cabinet adopts the Sex Establishment Licensing Policy that is attached to this report as Appendix 1.

Consideration was given to the report which outlined the findings of the review and subsequent consultation on the Sex Establishment Policy. The Policy had been introduced in 2019 and its effectiveness was assessed in 2020. It was found to deliver the aims and a commitment was made to undertake a further review within 3 years.

On 22nd May, 2019, the Council passed a resolution adopting the powers contained within Schedule 3 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 (as amended). The adoption of Schedule 3 powers allowed the Council to more effectively regulate establishments where adult activity would take place and introduced the ability to licence venues such as lap dancing clubs which previously had been ineffectively regulated under the Licensing Act 2003. The current Sex Establishment Licensing Policy applied to sexual entertainment venues, sex shops and sex cinemas.

Council officers took into consideration the aims of the current Policy and the Council’s priorities prior to producing the draft Policy for consultation and have confirmed that the current Policy requires no amendment, except where required due to changes in legislation due to the UK’s exit from the EU. In addition, a full public consultation had been conducted, details of which were in section 4 of the report.

In summary, there were 63 responses to the consultation. Of the 63 responses, the overwhelming majority were in favour of maintaining the current Policy requirements. Consultation had also taken place with Members of the Council’s Licensing Board, who were generally in agreement that the Policy delivered on the intended aims and that it would not be appropriate to make amendments to it. Key aspects of the Policy were set out in paragraphs 2.8 to 2.20 of the report.

The proposed Policy was attached to the report at Appendix 1.

Resolved:-

1.    That Cabinet adopt the Sex Establishment Licensing Policy that is attached to the report as Appendix 1.