Issue - meetings

Report of Cabinet Member for Safety and Communities, Councillor Victoria Atherstone

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    revisions to the Sexual Entertainment Venue policy are deferred;

2. a cabinet working group will be established to review the policy, with the terms of reference and composition of the working group delegated to the Leader in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Safety and Communities and Group Leaders

3. the working group will report back to Cabinet on the outcome of their review prior to any revised policy being presented to Council for approval

The Cabinet Member for Safety and Communities said licensing of sexual entertainment venues (SEV) is always very challenging, partly due to the absence of decisive action from successive governments, and as a result it remains the job of councils to find the best way to progress.  CBC’s stance is that it is better to license premises, but recognises that there are strong views around the subject and that many people oppose this view.  

The SEV policy is due for review and has undergone consultation and public engagement, but since publication of the report and draft policy, further representations have been made to her, other Members and council officers.  As a result, she is now proposing a different set of recommendations to allow further consideration of the policy by a Cabinet working group, who will produce a final version of the SEV policy for approval by Cabinet and Council as soon as possible.

The Leader said Members were aware of this request, and it demonstrates that the Cabinet is listening.  She supported the new recommendations, and suggested no further discussion of the paper was needed at this meeting and that it be suspended for the time being.

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    revisions to the Sexual Entertainment Venue policy are deferred;

2. a cabinet working group will be established to review the policy, with the terms of reference and composition of the working group delegated to the Leader in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Safety and Communities and Group Leaders

3. the working group will report back to Cabinet on the outcome of their review prior to any revised policy being presented to Council for approval