South Lanarkshire Council are set to launch a consultation into the licensing of sexual entertainment venues, despite the fact there aren’t any in the region.
Officers told the council’s licensing committee on Tuesday, August 20, that “as far as we are aware” there are no sexual entertainment venues – such as lap dance or strip clubs – or even any proposals to establish one.
New legislation has been introduced after Glasgow City Council’s attempts to regulate sexual entertainment venues through alcohol licensing were deemed incompetent.
Councils now have the option to licence the venues but each local authority would need to decide if it was necessary.
Paul Manning, executive director for finance and corporate resources, said: “The purpose of the report is to advise the committee of the introduction of the licensing of sexual entertainment venues as a defined activity.
“The licensing of sexual entertainment venues has been introduced as an optional activity which means that it is a matter for the licensing authority to decide whether or not it wishes to include such venues in the licensing regime.
“If the licensing authority decide to licence sexual entertainment venues then they will require to pass a resolution in order for this activity to be licensed in South Lanarkshire.”
Chair of the committee Councillor David Shearer (Clydesdale West) reminded his colleagues to stick to an “adult debate”.
Clydesdale West councillor Lynsey Hamilton was concerned that, as there are no venues in South Lanarkshire, the views of sex workers may not be taken into account during the consultation.
Cllr Shearer added that “the consultation should be as wide as possible” and that unions – such as the GMB who represent sex workers in Glasgow – would be consulted.
Martin Lennon, councillor for Rutherglen Central and North, asked if officers could take a “proactive” approach and establish what sort of conditions could be imposed should South Lanarkshire decide to regulate sexual entertainment venues.
Cllr Shearer said that would not be possible as the consultation was not a debate about the terms of any possible licensing decision.
However, he added that supplementary questions would be asked in the survey about conditions stakeholders would like considered if they agreed that the venues should be licensed.
Mr Manning added: “It will be an incremental process. If committee decides to regulate we would then be required to develop a policy and statutory conditions.
“We would come back to committee twice – do you want to licence it and then what should the policy be.”
A survey will be made available online and on social media, and adverts will be placed in the local press to help ensure as many stakeholders can participate as possible.
