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.
He would ask that a policy is implemented where there would be a presumption to grant a licence to premises that are well run and have operated as a sexual entertainment venue prior to the implementation of the Act.
Where premises have allowed such a licence to fall into disuse or a new application is to be made, where no such use existed prior to the implementation of the Act it is suggested that there should be a presumption against the grant of such a licence.

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.
This cannot be right for the majority of Maidstone Borough residents.

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.
It means certain standards and compliance can also be maintained. It will help to protect employees and others who are vulnerable

Section 2
Q2  We think that consideration given to this seems fairly comprehensive.

Q3  Less ‘main street’ areas.

Q4 The list is quite comprehensive.

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 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.