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Feedback from Maidstone Borough Council’s Policy on licensing Sex Shops, Sex Cinemas, and Sexual Entertainment Venues
Date received |
Contact |
Comment |
Document Ref |
Officers comments and recommendation |
6.12.10 |
Lisa Takel ( on behalf Cathie Smith) Director BIIAB |
No Comments made |
1 |
N/A |
15.12.10
|
Sean Lewis, Environmental Planning Advisor for Natural England |
No Comments made |
2 |
N/A |
20.12.10 |
Margo McFarlane. Clerk to Lenham Parish Council |
Section 1 Q1.Agree Section 2 Q2.No Q3.No Q4. As Listed Q5.Agree Section 3 Q6.Agree Section 4 Q7. Agree Q8.Agree Q9.Agree Section 5 Q10. Yes Q11. No Section 6 Q12. No Q13. No No Comments made |
3 |
Response agrees with Council policy |
3.1.11 |
Alan Crocker. Clerk to Collier Street Parish Council |
Section 1 Q1.Agree Section 2 Q2. Q3. Q4. Q5.Agree Section 3 Q6.Agree Section 4 Q7. Agree Q8.Agree Q9.Agree Section 5 Q10. YessiQ11. No Section 6 Q12. Q13. No Comments made |
4 |
Response agrees with Council policy |
5.1.11 |
Lynda Holder. NHS West Kent |
No comments made |
5 |
N/A |
5.1.11 |
Stephen Thomas Law on behalf Mr Pemble, Players, High Street, Maidstone |
As
an existing operator he has a proven track record for running this type of
establishment without causing problems. Jobs for 45 people are at stake —
which in this economic climate is an important consideration. |
6 |
Automatic grant for existing premises is being requested.
No licenses to be issued to any new premises of the type in Maidstone.
|
25.1.11 |
Disability Audit Service Ltd |
Section 1 Q1.Agree - Feel it is important that the Council has the power to license sexual entertainment venues to make sure that we do not end up with effectively a red light area of Maidstone. Also feels that if these premises are to exist they must be accessible throughout for disabled people and provide radar keyed wheelchair toilets. This in itself should not only contribute to equality but ensure that they have to provide all facilities irrespective of cost to them. Section 2 Q2. As per 1 Q3. Feels every case should be judged/considered on the surrounding properties and use. However feels it would be inappropriate for them to be based in rural areas. Q4. Rural areas. Q5.Agree Section 3 Q6.Disagree - Feels that in addition to the above points, a disability equality impact assessment should be carried out on each application to ensure they are fully accessible. Section 4 Q7. Agree Q8. Disagree – although agree with all of the points raised feels that the Council give consideration to whether any of this would impact on disabled people. Would also raise the question of how to overcome the problems of disabled people who have a visual impairment and ensure that the show is still equal to all. Q9.Agree Section 5 Q10. No - Firstly, I do not feel satisfied that these establishments will be made wheelchair accessible, especially, for example, if one was to be done on a boat. Secondly, often these types of establishments can lead to disturbances thereby incurring greater demands on the police. Who is going to pay for the extra policing costs and ensuring that they are not run as part of an organised crime syndicate? Q11. Slightly ambiguous, evidence there are problems. Not all existing premises have been made fully compliant with disabled peoples access to the their premises and their use Section 6 Q12. Q13. I feel
that as a county town it is bad enough that we have so many nightclubs which
cause Maidstone to virtually be a no-go area to many of its residents. I feel
that opening further sex establishments will only make this problem worse and
we will end up with a reputation of just being the place to go for a stag do
and hen night.
|
7 |
Number of points raised are dealt with in disabled legislation.
The general comments given in response to a number of questions need to be considered by members in determining their view. However the general view is that these type of premises are well run and tend to cause only minor problems to licensing staff and the Police.
Comments that SEV’s should not be in rural areas.
|
26.1.11 |
Michelle Tatton. Clerk to Teston Parish Council |
Agree that MBC adopt the powers allowing them to Licence SEV venues. |
8 |
N/A |
26.1.11 |
Jocelyn Walker. St Martins Church, Maidstone |
Section 1 Q1 Agree - It means that these premises
can be controlled and don’t end up in unsuitable places. Section 2 Q3 Less ‘main street’ areas. Q4 The list is quite comprehensive. Q5 Agree Section 3 Q6 Agree Section 4 Q8 Agree Q9 Agree Section 5 Q10 Yes Q11 No Section 6 Q12 No Q13 We appreciate being included in this consultation, and our only concerns are that the line sometimes gets blurred between what constitutes a sex shop/ premises – we were surprised to hear that there are no sex shops in the Maidstone Borough area and wonder whether that statement applies to past or present!
|
9 |
Agree with Council policy but feel that there should be less in the main street. |