Agenda item

REPORT OF THE LICENSING AND COMMUNITY SAFETY MANAGER

To consider a revised sex establishment licensing policy.

RESOLVED: That the Committee

(1) Endorsed and commented on the Sex Establishment Licensing Policy, attached as Appendix A.

(2) Delegated authority to the Licensing and Community Safety Manager, in consultation with the Chair of the Licensing and Regulation Committee, to make amendments to the Policy, as outlined at the meeting.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

(1) The current policy worked well when the district did have a licensed sex shop, however some minor amendments are needed to ensure it remains fit for purpose, particularly in areas of safeguarding and the Council’s White Ribbon commitment.

(2) The adoption of a policy ensures that applicants, licence holders, and the public have a clear understanding of the licensing process and objectives; it also ensures a consistent and transparent approach.

Audio Recording – 23 minutes 15 seconds

The Licensing and Community Safety Manager presented the report entitled ‘Adoption of Sex Establishment Licensing Policy’ and highlighted:

·       There were no sex establishments in the districts at the time, therefore no consultation had taken place on this policy.

·       The policy had not been reviewed in over 5 years. Therefore, for good practice and due to the authorities commitment to the White Ribbon scheme, the policy was being reviewed to make sure it provided the most up to date protection.

·       The policy does not outline that North Herts District can have no sex establishments, as it was better to have a robust policy in place, than ban the practice. This would help to ensure that current legislation was not misused by those seeking to run a sex establishment.

·       The main change to the policy was to add a minimum age for staff and performers, for safeguarding purposes.

The following Members asked questions:

·       Councillor Ruth Brown

·       Councillor Tim Johnson

·       Councillor Bryony May

In response to questions the Licensing and Community Safety Manager advised that:

·       It was the intention that paragraph 1.3.1(b) of the policy would include trafficking and modern slavery. However, this could be specifically added should Members want to include direct reference to these areas.

·       Emphasis could be placed on the commitment to the White Ribbon scheme, by bringing this forward in the policy document.

·       He was not aware of how many authorities had a no sex establishment policy, but at a recent conference attended, none of the attendees had a nil-resolution policy in place for sex establishments.

Councillor Elizabeth Dennis proposed and Councillor Keith Hoskins seconded.

N.B. Councillor Amy Allen entered the Chamber during this item at 20:08.

The following Members took part in the debate:

·       Councillor Ruth Brown

·       Councillor Tim Johnson

The following points were raised in the debate:

·       That paragraph 2.8.2 of the policy should be moved to section 1.2 to highlight the dedication to safeguarding women and girls from violence.

·       Reference to ‘modern slavery’ could be added to paragraph 1.3.1(b) to add a further level of protection.

·       It was good to see a focus on safeguarding in this policy.

As part of the debate Councillor Ruth Brown proposed an amendment to delegated authority to the Licensing and Community Safety Manager to make amendments to the as outlined in the debate. This was accepted by Councillor Elizabeth Dennis, as proposer, and Councillor Keith Hoskins, as seconder.

Having been proposed and seconded, and, following a vote, the substantive motion was:

RESOLVED: That the Committee

(1) Endorsed and commented on the Sex Establishment Licensing Policy, attached as Appendix A.

(2) Delegated authority to the Licensing and Community Safety Manager, in consultation with the Chair of the Licensing and Regulation Committee, to make amendments to the Policy, as outlined at the meeting.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

(1) The current policy worked well when the district did have a licensed sex shop, however some minor amendments are needed to ensure it remains fit for purpose, particularly in areas of safeguarding and the Council’s White Ribbon commitment.

(2) The adoption of a policy ensures that applicants, licence holders, and the public have a clear understanding of the licensing process and objectives; it also ensures a consistent and transparent approach.