Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Willingham, Councillor Steinhardt substituted for him.

The Licensing and Public Protection Manager introduced the report as published.

The response to a Member question was as follows:

-       The dates and timings that the applicant is applying for are the same as the previous application.  It was also confirmed that there were no complaints received last time the licence was issued.

The objectors who couldn’t attend had their speeches read by a Democratic Services Officer, they made the following points:

-       The frequency exemption means that the Council feels that it has no choice but to grant the licence.

-       The committee should avoid watering down the conditions.  The conditions are based on the Councils own 2020 Community Impact Statement.

-       The Council is aware that females in particular feel disadvantaged by the Sexual Entertainment and the licensing of SEV’s.

-       It is concerning that the applicant has again requested a variation to conditions, which would mean that they can hand out flyers for the bus and used a marked vehicle to transport customers.

-       Although Dream Boys events are advertised freely and it could be perceived that Eroticats are being treated differently, however there is an epidemic of male violence against women and girls not an epidemic of violence against men and boys.

-       Strip clubs normalise the objectification and dehumanisation of women and girls and the Council was right to issue a policy that limits the way that these clubs are advertised.

-       Some might say that there is far worse available on line, this is true but should not be used as an argument to allow strip clubs to be advertised freely.

-       A request was made for the Council to continue to lobby the Home Office to remove the exemption.

-       Many women avoid the town during race week due to routine harassment from drunk men.

-       Turning pubs into strip clubs only reinforces objectifying women. The SEV’s make the atmosphere really unpleasant and unsafe for women.

-       GlosWomen have written to the Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls to request that the SEV frequency exemption be reviewed as a matter of urgency.

A supporter addressed the committee and made the following points:

-       She has worked for the applicant for over a decade, starting as a performer and now as a house mother. 

-       She stated that she stays with the organisation as it is the only one that provides security. 

-       The courtesy bus plays a vital part in getting the performers home safely.

-       It is a well-run, safe legal business, performers return year after year to work for them, which is an indication of how happy they are with the organisation.

-       She has worked at places before under the exemption and they are nowhere near as well organised and the performers are not as well looked after.

The applicant’s representative then had the opportunity to address the committee and made the following points:

-       The applicant has been operating SEVs since 2010 but has been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the remaining agenda items as it is likely that, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, if members of the public are present there will be disclosed to them exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 and 2, Part (1) Schedule (12A) Local Government Act 1972, namely:

Paragraph 1; Information relating to any individual

Paragraph 2; Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual

The vote was taken on the following:

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the remaining agenda items as it is likely that, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, if members of the public are present there will be disclosed to them exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 and 2, Part (1) Schedule (12A) Local Government Act 1972, namely:

Paragraph 1; Information relating to any individual

Paragraph 2; Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual

The vote was unanimous and the meeting entered exempt session.

The Licensing Officer introduced the report. 

The driver addressed the committee.

After the debate in private session the Members gave their unanimous decision to REVOKE

 There was one urgent matter of business that bought to the committee. 

There was no report given the lateness of the issue. The Licensing Officer explained that the driver has a vehicle that is 2 months older than the policy allows.  The vehicle is in good condition.  It was confirmed that it was believed that the driver did not wilfully ignore the matter and although the vehicle is older than the policy states it should be it is fit for the road.

It was confirmed in response to a Member question that officers have no concerns regarding this case and that there could be better steps to ensure that driver knows that they need three licences.  Although the driver should have known this since he was notified he has sought to rectify the matter as soon as possible.