Find out more about the draft new Sex Encounter Venues Policy and download all the documents in PDF format below.
Introduction
This consultation concerns the regulation of Sexual Encounter Venues under Schedule 3 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982.
The Policing and Crime Act 2009 has reclassified lap dancing clubs as Sexual Encounter Venues and gives local authorities in England and Wales the power to regulate them as Sex Establishments.
Sexual entertainment can still take place without the need for a premises being licensed as a sex establishment if it occurs infrequently, on no more than eleven occasions in a year , with at least one month's "other" entertainment in between.
These new measures are effective from 6 April 2010 and if adopted by the council will give local people a greater say over where, and how many, lap dancing clubs operate in their neighbourhoods.
Such venues offer entertainment commonly described as:
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Lap dancing
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Pole dancing
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Table dancing
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Strip shows
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Peep shows
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Live Sex shows
Key Proposed Changes
In summary, the amendments to Schedule 3 to the 1982 Act will:
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Allow local people to oppose an application for a Sex Establishment Licence if they have legitimate concerns that a Sexual Entertainment Venue would be inappropriate given the character of an area, for example, if the area was primarily a residential area.
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Enable licences to be renewed at least annually, at which point local people will have the opportunity to raise objections, if any, with their local authority.
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Allow the council to reject a licence application if they believe that to grant a licence for a Sexual Entertainment Venue, including a lap dancing club, would be inappropriate given the character of a particular area.
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Allow the council to set a limit on the number of Sexual Entertainment Venues that they think is appropriate for a particular area
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Allow the council to impose a wider range of conditions on the licences of Sexual Entertainment Venues than they are currently able to under the Licensing Act 2003.
The Full Licensing Committee of the council has indicated its intention to adopt the new legislative provisions, to control these activities.
Download Policy Documents
