Tell Council What You Think About Licensing Sex Establishments

Published on: 9 Jan, 2015
Updated on: 9 Jan, 2015

People in Guildford are being asked for their views on the borough council’s draft licensing of sex establishments policy in a public consultation.

GBC’s lead councillor for licensing and governance, Paul Spooner, said: “We have published a draft policy on sex establishments and would like feedback on it. We want to hear from as many people as possible, including residents, workers, visitors, local businesses and associated trade bodies.”

One of the questions in the on-line survey asks: “Do you think it is acceptable to have sexual entertainment venues near the following?”It then lists places including schools and parks, places of worship, shopping areas, historic buildings, and so on.

Councils now have more powers to control the number and location of lap dancing clubs, sex shops and similar venues in their area and to regulate these premises.

GBC says it consulted last year on whether to adopt the legislation before drafting the policy. A spokesman said: “Once the consultation has closed we will consider all the responses and amend the policy as appropriate. The council’s licensing committee will review the updated policy on March 18. A summary of responses will be available on our website.”

You are can complete the online survey to give your views at www.guildford.gov.uk/sepolicy.
The consultation closes on February 24.

Responses to Tell Council What You Think About Licensing Sex Establishments

Bernard Parke Reply

January 9, 2015 at 9:58 am

Are there not more important issues which now threaten the quality of our live without this?
Paul Spooner Reply

January 13, 2015 at 10:20 am

The licensing of sex establishments came into force at GBC on November 17, 2014, with any existing licences valid for 12 months and no applications being able to be determined for six months.

We therefore should be consulting on a new draft policy to enable a final policy to be shaped and presented to the licensing committee in March and then to the Executive and full council for approval in April (within the six months moratorium).

I would ask all residents and businesses within Guildford Borough Council and those that work or visit the borough to review the draft policy and respond to the questions to ensure that the final policy reflects the will of local residents from the borough.

In particular, is the policy fair to both residents and license holders? Is the criteria for a fit and proper person correct? Are there any locations/sensitive premises that are not suitable to locate a sexual entertainment venue near? We are proposing that sex shops and sex cinemas will be determined on a case by case basis – is this suitable?

Currently there are no licensed sex shops or sex cinemas in the borough.

Closing date of 24 February applies, so still plenty of time to respond.

Link: http://www.guildford.gov.uk/sepolicy