Apologies were received from Councillors Dychton and Saffery.

There was a change of membership for this meeting; Councillor Bell replaced Councillor Smith.

The Chair welcomed three new members to the committee; Councillors Jeffree, Parker and Smith.  It was noted that Councillor Jeffree had previously sat on Licensing Committee.

There were no disclosures of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 January 2017 to be submitted and signed.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 11 January 2017 were submitted and signed.

Since the last Committee the following Licensing Sub-Committee hearings have taken place:

15 May 2017 – Roosters – Councillors J Fahmy (Chair), J Connal and D Scudder.

Licensing Sub-Committee minutes are available to view on the Council’s website.

The comments to be submitted for signature.

The committee received an update on the Licensing Sub-Committee hearing which had taken place since the last committee meeting. 

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 May 2017 were submitted and signed.

Report of the Head of Community and Environmental Services recommending that the Council's Sex Establishment Licensing Policy be renewed for the period 2017 to 2020.

The committee received a report of the Head of Community and Environmental Services asking them to review the Sex Establishment Licensing Policy.

The Environmental Health Manager introduced the report, explaining the background and history to the council’s non-statutory policy about licences governing sex establishments and sexual entertainment venues.  This did not seek to establish a moral view, but set out an administrative regime in accordance with the law.  The original policy had been agreed in October 2010, and had been amended and reviewed in June 2011 and July 2014 respectively.

It was reported that, unlike other licensing regimes, a wide range of people could raise objections about sex establishment licences.  However, no representations had been made or evidence gained during the operation of the current policy that suggested further venues were needed or that existing venues were impacting adversely on the area.  For this reason, no public consultation had been undertaken.

The Environmental Health Manager further explained that sex establishments were not generally a source of crime and disorder.  As a result, a light touch inspection regime had been adopted which saw simple inspections of the premises no more than once a year.

In response to a query, the Environmental Health Manager confirmed that the number of sex establishments deemed appropriate in designated areas could be increased or decreased, but any such change would need to be agreed by the Licensing Committee.  The council’s sex establishment licence policy provided the framework to make any such decision.

In the absence of further queries, the Chair moved the officer’s recommendation.

RESOLVED –

that the policy be re-adopted for a further three years.