Cornwall policy consultation database sex establishment policy – 28 July to 20 October 2010

Public sector equality duty

(1)

A public authority must, in the exercise of its functions, have due regard to the need to—

(a) eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under this Act;

(b)advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it;

(c)foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.

(2)A person who is not a public authority but who exercises public functions must, in the exercise of those functions, have due regard to the matters mentioned in subsection (1).

(3)Having due regard to the need to advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it involves having due regard, in particular, to the need to—

(a)remove or minimise disadvantages suffered by persons who share a relevant protected characteristic that are connected to that characteristic;

(b)take steps to meet the needs of persons who share a relevant protected characteristic that are different from the needs of persons who do not share it;

(c)encourage persons who share a relevant protected characteristic to participate in public life or in any other activity in which participation by such persons is disproportionately low.

(4)The steps involved in meeting the needs of disabled persons that are different from the needs of persons who are not disabled include, in particular, steps to take account of disabled persons' disabilities.

(5)Having due regard to the need to foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it involves having due regard, in particular, to the need to—

(a)tackle prejudice, and

(b)promote understanding.

(6)Compliance with the duties in this section may involve treating some persons more favourably than others; but that is not to be taken as permitting conduct that would otherwise be prohibited by or under this Act.

(7)The relevant protected characteristics are—

age;

disability;

gender reassignment;

pregnancy and maternity;

race;

religion or belief;

sex;

sexual orientation.

(8)A reference to conduct that is prohibited by or under this Act includes a reference to—

(a)a breach of an equality clause or rule;

(b)a breach of a non-discrimination rule.

The full document is available here; http://www.equalities.gov.uk/equality_bill.aspx

4-  The use of the term 'locality' in the document appears to suggest that a certain part of Cornwall should be set aside to house these Sex Establishments. In a reflection of their partial attitude to the girls and young women of Cornwall, the Council appears to suggest that only certain localities in Cornwall are fit to house this 'service provision'. Which towns would the Council select as suitable for the next 'locality' of Sex Establishments. On what evidence does the Council select areas of Cornwall to be turned into these Red Light districts?
 5- The first locality that appears to have been chosen is Newquay, where the current ratio of children per Lap Dancing licenses  1:187. that is, 1 Sex Establishment License per 187 children. This astonishing figure stands at 180 TIMES the National Average of 1: 33,600 children. Is the Council proud to be the only Local Government Authority in the country who inflicts this upon its children? Do the residents of other areas in Cornwall have these statistics to look forward to as their own high streets and local shopping areas are turned in spaces where 'the presence of Lap Dancing clubs and exotic dancing clubs make women and children feel threatened or uncomfortable' (The Royal town Planning institutes guide to 24 hour planning).
6- The Council in this respect seems to be advocating the creation of a Cornish Red Light district in Newquay. This in the face of vocal and publicly recorded opposition from Newquay Town Council, local Head teachers, Local Parish Councils, Newquay Town Centre Residents Associations and nationally from the  Local Government Agency Association, the Royal Town Planning Institute's regulations on Gender equality and European legislation on Gender and Equality.
7- I note further the section in the document in which the Council, having paid lip service this Public consultation process to create a cap of License numbers, retains the authority to 'increase' this cap at any time in future. I note there is no equivalent option to REDUCE the cap. What process does the Council intend to introduce to facilitate the reduction of the cap at any point in future?If CCC does not intend to advocate a balanced legislation, it is seen to be interfering to positively influence the business interests of certain establishments over others. This is the definition of a conflict of interest at the heart of Cornwall's local Government, where the Council prejudices for or against specific business interests by their actions. CCC in this action abdicates any right to describe itself as REPRESENTATIVE of its electorate as  by its actions it represents only the owners of these Sex Establishments.
I strongly urge the Council to consider the overwhelming response of its electorate i.e. the people who voted you into power, and following the actions of Councils around the country, Glasgow and Hackney, set the cap at ZERO.
Give Newquay and Cornwall the opportunity finally to move forward into a diverse and positive future for all its residents, visitors but most importantly for all of our children.

The Council is required to carry out an Equality Impact Assessment on the Policy and conditions. This has been carried out and will be published on the Council’s website in due course.
Ms P – Newquay (100)	19 Oct 2010	I am writing to oppose the licensing of ALL lap dancing clubs in Newquay and I would like you to set a ZERO cap for lapdancing clubs in the Newquay Central Ward, and the rest of Newquay and Cornwall.   It does not feel safe in the streets at night due to 'sexually aroused' men,often in groups, around the town centre. The atmosphere after dark - and sometimes before dark - is intimidating and threatening.  Newquay is primarily a family town and somewhere where generations have grown up and continue to do so.  It feels wholly inappropriate to give such prominence to lapdancing in the heart of our community.  It sets a tone of sexuality and is surely not the primary message we wish to give our young people, boys and girls alike.   I understand that there are over 700 children living in the immediate area - and it works out that there is 1 lap-dancing license per 187 children in Newquay Central ward area whereas the national average is 1 lap-dancing license per 33,600 children.  Children cannot remain unaffected.   I believe that Newquay and its residents deserve better.  I also think it is totally out of keeping with the beauty of the natural landscape that we should have such premises.   I fundamentally believe that Newquay should be seeking to clean up its act and be a safe and inclusive family destination, for both local residents and visitors. Whilst I appreciate that people wish to drink and socialise in licensed premises and that moving the town forward will take time, lapdancing is a step too far - it is derogatory to women, maintains sexual inequality and brings the town into disrepute.   Thank you for adding this to the other concerned residents of Newquay on this matter.
Ms E – Truro (101)	19 Oct 2010	I would like to request that the licensing committee set a cap of nil on lap dancing clubs in all areas of Cornwall and in particular in the central area of Newquay where there are currently 4 licenses for lap-dancing. I used to live in Newquay and worked when I was a teenager at one of the licensed premises in central Newquay. After work, I would have to walk on my route home, past the groups of men queuing for entry at the lap dancing clubs and groups of men hanging around after leaving the lap-dancing clubs. It was impossible to avoid this route home as one of the clubs was on the main route through the town towards my home. I was constantly sexually harassed and had to field comments that were both offensive and threatening. I was on more than one occassion followed home. I gave up my job in the end as I found the walk home intimidating and I became more afraid. Despite knowing that most women are attacked by someone they know, I became increasingly afraid. I got used to carrying a personal alarm in one hand and a whistle in my mouth fearful of an assault. The groups of men that were hanging around in the town and spilling into residential streets still appeared to think that their behaviour was normal.   My family live in Newquay and it is where I grew up. However I have moved to Truro as I no longer feel safe in Newquay or able to work in such a hostile and predatory town. It was also impossible to find long term work in Newquay that did not involve working in the night time economy which was a both hostile and threatening environment. I was approached and asked to work in one of the lap-dancing clubs on the promise of earning thousands of pounds. I was however more interested in a long term career and having good qualifications I was able to make better choices. This is not the case for all young women growing up in Cornwall. Although the schools and the standard of education in Newquay are exceptional, it does not sit well alongside a  town centre that has become a no go area for so many young women and men who no longer feel safe there. I have a younger sister and a younger brother who are still growing up in a town where, should the sex industry be allowed to continue, will undermine their feelings of safety when they grow up and may be seen as the only way to earn money. In particular, my younger sister. My brother will not be bought up to think that it is acceptable to buy women in the town.    I understand that one of the licensing objectives is the protection of children from harm and I would ask that council to do all that it can to protect not just my brother and sister from harm, but all children growing up in Newquay from the psychological harm that exposure to the sex industry causes. In particular the normalisation of the industry by placing it next door to the shops where my brother and sister buy their comics and sweets. I do not think it is acceptable to state that the clubs are shut when the children are spending their pocket money. The sex shop in Newquay is down a side alley that they do not have to pass by on the way to the shops. It is the location of the lap-dancing clubs that is in itself harmful. I do not want my brother to grow up thinking that it is acceptable for him to buy women. And I do not want my sister to grow up thinking that taking her clothes off and paying money to someone else just to go to work, is an acceptable way for her to earn money or an acceptable business practice. Working in the sex industry is also a very short lived career which has no promotion prospects. It is not something that you can put on your CV when you have to leave the clubs and so finding other work becomes less of an option. I have many friends in Truro, Newquay and St. Austell. We are not middle aged housewives with nothing better to do. We are all young with disposable incomes, but choose not to spend that money in a town that has nothing more to offer than binge drinking and sexual harassment.   Please set a cap at nil to redress the balance that has been lost.
Ms M – Newquay (106)	20 Oct 2010	I am writing to ask that the council make good use of the powers they now have, having adopted the new legislation regarding sex encounter establishments, and set a “zero” cap on lap dancing clubs in Newquay. I understand that the committee have to fully consider the views and financial benefits to the people running these businesses, and any other interested parties, and to the revenue brought into the council by them, but I strongly urge the committee to give as much weight to those who oppose these venues and the reasons they do so. As a founder of the facebook group New Newquay, I have really tried to take on board and understand the views of lap dancing business owners such as Richard Taylor. Despite a long and civil conversation with him, over several weeks, I cannot agree with him that Newquay should aspire to be “the Blackpool of the Southwest.” As one of a handful of very influential businessmen in Newquay, I am truly concerned about the town’s future. Stag-do’s, hen nights and other large drinking parties now completely dominate the high street at night, and lap dancing clubs strongly encourage more of the same. No-one who lives here seems to mind a good party – in fact most people I know in this small town love a good party – but the town centre is no longer a good and safe place. It pushes local people out, it pushes a really diverse form of tourism out, and it pushes good investment out. I have also gained from posts on New Newquay, and a group called “Newquay, Cornwall”, that a great number of Newquay residents, including many businesses, and a majority of tourists, (we did a poll - most were against lap dancing clubs – men and women tourists – I can forward the evidence)…..……would like to see Cornwall Council steering the town towards responsible and sustainable tourism. Newquay has “eleven” enviable beaches, (where else has this in Cornwall, let alone the rest of the UK??)  and a wealth of businesses promoting healthy activity based lifestyles – yet our town centre at night is attracting negative press – which will be perpetuated by lap dancing clubs, -  the police turn a blind eye  (can’t blame them ), and the council cannot see the potential to make real money. By setting a cap at zero, the council would have used a golden opportunity to really turn around the negative image Newquay has been plagued with in the press over the past two seasons. You got the message out about underage drinking, now is the time to do the same with excessive binge drinking, and women selling sexual services whether you view lap dancing on just a harmless arousal level or have a more realistic understanding. A family member of mine worked behind the bar at one of the lap dancing clubs in Newquay and her stories are truly horrifying. I expect members of the committee were fairly sheltered from true goings on during their fact finding trip, and this is something I hope will be at the forefront of your minds during any deliberations.   On a personal level, I would like to see the council use their powers to set the cap at zero, so that; My two sons (aged 5 and 6) do not grow up being influenced outside of the home and the school, to believe that it is normal and acceptable to view a woman as little more than a sexual object If I had a daughter, I would be really worried about her thinking she needed to be good at pole dancing to be found attractive by the opposite sex. This is very evident just by seeing young women’s reactions to the pole now placed in the Central pub in Newquay – No lap dancing, just a random pole in the pub (normalisation)   I do feel intimidated walking past the “gentleman’s clubs” in the high streets, especially if I am coming home by myself And ultimately, not just from a personal level, but I am sure from a tourists point of view as well, I strongly object to being accosted in the evening by lap dancers asking my husband to visit their club whilst he is pushing a buggy with a sleeping child! The town is far too small (wrong location regarding proximity to residential areas & schools), to cater to lap dancing without it seriously impacting on what is becoming a stronger, more organised and unified community. The committee and the council should be setting their sights far higher for Newquay (Gateway to Cornwall). The location is not Blackpool, or Brighton, or Bournemouth – it is the comparatively very little but wonderful place called Newquay. Could you please now help “the people of Newquay”, and with it help the County of Cornwall.
Mr & Mrs T – Newquay (107)	20 Oct 2010	I am writing to request that the council sets a nil cap for these clubs. We are the parents of RT who was verbally abused whilst simply walking past one of these clubs. We need to turn Newquay back into the town we were once proud of. I also have to walk past a lap dancing club simply trying to take children that i look after to our nearest park.I will be a Grandmother in a few weeks, and again,i will be walking past a club that actually holds a license for lap dancing. Please think about the effects these establishments will have on our childrens safety.
Mr S – Newquay (110)	20 Oct 2010	As a member of the Newquay Newstart Task group, a member of the Newquay Neighbourhood Pathfinder Group and a co-founder of the New Newquay Facebook Group, I am writing to point out some of the benefits to Cornwall and Newquay if the council use the powers they now have, having adopted the new legislation regarding sex encounter establishments, and set a zero cap on lap dancing clubs in Newquay Central Ward. Golden PR opportunity Setting a cap at Zero for Newquay Central Ward, would give businesses and the Cornwall council communications department a golden opportunity to start to overcome the terrible image and reputation of Newquay town centre. Newquay is constantly portrayed in the media as a sleazy, out of control party town. You have the opportunity to tell the country that Cornwall council does not believe providing sexual entertainment is a responsible service for its resorts. In the Parish plan, the media and social networking sites people repeatedly comment on how they are intimidated by the presence of lap dancing clubs in the town centre. You have the power to remove that intimidation and help to open up the town centre at night to a more diverse range of residents and visitors. The decision the committee makes on lap dancing will attract a large amount of media attention, I hope this attention paints Newquay and Cornwall in a positive light. Save the council money and time The scant regard lap dancing clubs have for planning and licensing law, continually costs the council time and resources. In Newquay the clubs repeatedly have their licence reviewed for breaches of the licensing conditions, this then leads to lengthy appeals and court appearances all of which is very expensive. The two most visible lap dancing clubs in Newquay have been operating without planning permission, this then leads to the lengthy planning process with the inevitable appeals and court cases. Cornwall Council would be free of this continual drain on resources if a cap of zero is set for Newquay central ward. Good for business Without the threatening stag groups lap dancing clubs attract, shops in the town centre would be able to stay open later in the evening, as they do in other towns in the county. The numerous empty apartments would be easier to sell in a town that is seen to be trying to throw off its “Stag magnet” reputation (Newquay is defined as a “Stag Magnet” on the BBC website). In addition it is unlikely how closing lap dancing clubs would result in job losses, the dancers are all self employed, and the venues could operate as bars or nightclubs, keeping on the paid staff (subject to planning and licensing approval). Reconnecting the people with council There is an opportunity to rebuild trust between the voters of Newquay and the county council. Since the Restormel days there is a perception that Newquay, is seen as the sink for the sections of the tourist trade the rest of Cornwall doesn’t want. There is a strong community drive in Newquay to make the town a better place and be all it can be. All parts of the community feel a zero cap is needed, the Town council, the Police Inspector and his predecessor, the MP, the head teachers, the churches, hotels and businesses. The people of Newquay do not accept the argument that “It’s Newquay, that’s what its like”, they see the town as a growing vibrant town and a key part of the tourist trade for the whole county. They would hope that the elected members of the County Council chamber see Newquay the same way. I hope you consider the benefits above and set the cap on lap dancing clubs in Newquay Central ward at zero.
Ms P-P – Newquay (112)	20 Oct 2919	I would like to give my support for the zero cap on lap dancing clubs in Newquay.   I have lived here nearly all my life and I have watched the town descend into it's current state where it has become dominated by nite clubs and lap dancing bars, rather than the family friendly beach resort it used to be.   I have two small children and I do not think that Newquay is the right place for lap dancing clubs, in fact when we are in town my daughter sees the logo for Halos and wants to go in, obviously it is closed and I wouldn't dream of telling her what goes on there (she's 5).  If we want Newquay to become the family friendly town it used to be we need to have a zero cap on lap dancing clubs, and address the issue of how many licensed premises there are in the town, most of which are not family friendly.   I work at a holiday park just a mile from town and I often speak to families who always make sure that they are out of town by 8pm as they just don't like the atmosphere in the town centre, one day these families will stop coming altogether!  If we lose our tourists, especially the families the future for Newquay will be bleak.   I hope that one day in the future my family and I will be able to venture into town again in the evenings, without coming face to face with the stags and hens that our town is known for.  I hope that enough people have made their voice heard so that you will give Newquay a zero cap on lap dancing clubs.
Chief Executive, Womens Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre – Bodmin (114)	20 Oct 2010	I am writing to you on behalf of the Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (Cornwall)  in response to the consultation. WRSAC (Cornwall) has been delivering services to victims of sexual violence and domestic violence in Cornwall since 1994 and work with many victims of rape, sexual assault and sexual exploitation as well as victims of incest, childhood sexual abuse and all forms of domestic violence. We currently support over 2000 women each year who are victims and survivors and offer them Helpline support, outreach services, counselling and advocacy. We work in partnership with a wide range of agencies including the police who host our 7 Independent Domestic Violence Advocacy Workers. We are members of the Sexual Assault Referral Centre Partnership Board and sit on the Cornwall Domestic and Sexual Violence Strategic Group. HM Governments (2007) Cross-government Sexual Violence and Abuse Action Plan stated that ‘80,000 women are raped every year,  23% of women and 3% of men experience sexual assault as an adult, 1 in every 20 women has been raped and 21% girls and 11 % of boys experience some form of child sexual abuse. 40% of adults who are raped tell no one about it and 31% of children who are abused reach adulthood without telling anyone. 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence at some time in their lives. Sexual Violence and Domestic Violence are the most under reported crimes ’  Victims are therefore in their millions. Of the many women reporting rape and other sexual violence to our agency through our Helplines only 10%-12% have or will report the offences to the police. This mirrors national statistics. Victims do not report for a wide range of reasons but they are underpinned by the myths and stereotypes that are perpetuated in society about victims. WRSAC has a vast amount of anecdotal evidence from women in Cornwall that links the sexual violence they have experienced to their partner’s use of pornography, sex clubs and lap dancing establishments. In 2002 we received finding from Comic Relief in response to numerous reports of sexual violence from young women (many of them assaulted in Newquay Clubs) to set up the Young Women’s Support Network. We have just received a further 3 year funding grant from Comic Relief to continue this work in Cornwall.    We therefore wish to bring to your attention the increased risk of violence (sexual and domestic) to women and teenage girls as a direct result of an increase in sex establishments in Cornwall.       Lap dancing clubs and other sex industry establishments encourage their customers, and wider society, to see women as sex objects. They reinforce the idea that women are always sexually available, particularly if you have a bit of spare cash. Dr Linda Papadopoulos’s government review of the ‘Sexualisation of Young People’ has researched the direct links between sexual violence, lap dancing clubs and the sexualisation, objectification and commodification of women and young girls. Other studies and reports consistently link lap dancing with other forms of exploitation, trafficking, prostitution and an increase in violence towards women. (Eden 2003, Bindel 2004, Eden 2007) The Womens National Commision in its report to the United Nation’s Commission on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (2005) stated that ‘The use of women in degrading entertainment exacerbates violence against women........lap dancing and similar clubs be regulated to ensure that local crimes against women do not increase. The lap dancing industry markets women as sex objects and the working practices of many clubs encourage men to expect and seek sexual services in them. Research and personal testimony reveals that female performers in lap dancing clubs often face very poor working conditions and that women have to pay rent to work in the clubs. This often means that lap dancers are expected to, and need to, sell sexual services to make a living.    We at the Womens Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre believe that the normalisation of lap dancing is a social issue not a moral issue and that society needs to begin to understand the impact that these clubs have, not only on the women who work in them but on all women in our community. Our mothers, sisters, daughters..... Local authorities are legally required under the Equality Act 2010 to consider the impact of licensing decisions on women and men and promote gender equality. Lap dancing clubs are found to have a very definite and harmful impact on gender equality. In fact because of this some councils have decided to cap the number of licensed clubs and Hackney Council have set their cap at nil. We would be grateful if you could give serious consideration to our comments when making your decision and respectfully request Cornwall Council to set an nil cap for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Ms S - Newquay (116)	20 Oct 2010	I write to urge you set a zero allowance for lap dancing bars in central Newquay. I am a Mother of 6 children all of which were born in Cornwall. I have lived here for the past 20 year and I have seen a great many changes, not many of them for the better. My eldest daughter has just turned 18 and I do fear for her safety when she goes into town at the weekend. I feel that having lap dancing bars here in the town encourages a certain type of person and I know from experience discourages families from coming here. Newquay is a small one street town and we cannot absorb these lap dancing bars like the sprawling cities can. They encourage a disproportinate number of single men who come in groups looking to get extremely drunk and act inappropriately. I have been in town with my younger children and have been thoroughly ashamed by some adult behaviour, behaviour which would not normally be tolerated but which Newquay seems to have come to ignore as it has become the norm. These clubs customers frequently act inappropriately and the girls who are employed to promote these places also act in a manner which is offensive and which young children should not be subjected to. In the name of common decency and the safeguarding of children I ask you to set the number of licences to zero and please do not renew any. Thank you for your attention in this matter.