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

Mr P – Newquay (55)	14 Oct 2010	I would like to express my strongest opposition to the suggestion that there should be a "zero cap" on lap dance clubs in Newquay or any other town for that matter.   I think its disgusting the the vocal few has had such a damaging impact on the night time economy of Newquay which includes its lap dance clubs.  These narrow minded people fail to see that we live in ever changing times and Newquay cannot be dragged back into a by gone era!   If there wasn't a demand for Lap dance clubs etc they wouldn't survive, the fact that they are (or were until Divas lost its license) successful, profitable businesses means only one things which is that there is a clear demand!   I have lived in Newquay my entire life, I'm a professional, cornish, family man, whilst I personally don't visit these establishments I also have no issue with them in my town.  They provide employment and boost tourism providing essential money to the local economy.  I do not believe that they contribute in any way to anti-social behaviour, violence or sex crimes.    Sex establishments are not illegal, so as long as they are regulated and managed I see no reason why they cannot co-exist in our diverse modern society!
Mr T (56)	14 Oct 2010	I am totally opposed to the concept of having lap dancing clubs in Newquay we are trying to promote it as a safe family resort and I feel that these establishments give totally the opposite view,
Mr M (68)	16 Oct 2010	I am writing to object the presence of the lap dancing premises or sex establishments in Newquay. This is a small town and used  to be a primarily a family and surfing holiday centre which lived quite happily side by side.However Newquay seems to have been sacrificed as the" money whatever" capital of Cornwall.The gangs of roving drunks ,even in the afternoons at weekends on Newquay streets make me feel ashamed to say I live in Newquay, when I used to be proud of it.I don t want to live in a mini Blackpool or Benidorm so please ,please give our town back its decent name and let the beauty of Cornwall be its selling point not the stag party culture.
Ms S – Penzance (86)	19 Oct 2010	I am writing in response to the consultation that is currently taking place into the licensing of lapdancing clubs and other sex encounter establishments in Cornwall. I would like to express in the strongest possible terms my opposition to the licensing of these establishments in Cornwall. As a young woman, I have had the misfortune to live near lapdancing clubs in other areas of the UK, and had to confront the clients entering and exiting the club, while on my way home at night. In my experience, the impact that a lapdancing club has on the community is entirely negative. I experienced a far higher number of aggressive comments, and unprovoked sexual innuendo from clients at the club, than from those at a normal bar or club. It is highly likely that, having spent time in an atmosphere where most of the women are there "to serve" sexually, the customers take that attitude out into the street and vent that hatred and sense of entitlement onto any passing women or girl.   In Cornwall we have a lot of jobs depending on the tourist industry, most of which is made up of older people or families with children. It would be damaging for Cornwall to risk becoming known for seedy "sex encounter" venues, rather than playing to its strengths as an friendly, traditional, safe environment. At the moment we have an enviable reputation, and if the council decides to invite these venues into the community, there is a risk that that reputation will be lost. Furthermore, police forces are often reluctant to support the licensing of lapdancing clubs, as they are aware of the additional problems of antisocial behaviour that such venues bring with them.   Please keep our streets as safe as possible for women and girls going about their daily business, and protect Cornwall's reputation as a family holiday venue at the same time, by making the decision not to grant licenses to any lapdancing or similar clubs within the county.
Ms A – (104)	19 Oct 2010	Newquay (and Cornwall) are such beautiful areas and as Cornish people we pride ourselves on our beautiful county, and are reliant on tourism to maintain it. The one thing ruining this?? Lap dancing clubs! What an eyesore to see these clubs mixed in with normal family shops! and treated as "normal" how many parents can you say would encourage people to go to a town where their children have to walk past these places! As a leader of brownie girls aged 7-11, I spend one night every week teaching 24 girls life skills and teaching them to love and cherish their bodies, a concept completely destroyed by lap dancing clubs. As brownies we have come across many activities we could do in an evening in Newquay but I shudder at the thought of taking young girls past clubs where men have spent several hours watching women seductively dancing in front of then and ultimately "turning them on" and then the kids walking with these men around. I have met several women who have been victims of the lap dancing clubs, women who have been forced to parade their bodies by loan people, drug dealers and club owners! Also many women who have been raped after their partners come Home from these clubs and think their partners are sex objects! Personally I think lap dancing clubs should be banned completely. What are the point of them? Parading women around to turn a group of people on? Its disgusting. I certainly will not be visiting Newquay untill all of the lap dancing clubs have been removed!
Stithians Parish Council (30)	28 Sept 2010	The document is further incomplete in that information on numerical limits alluded to in para 11.2 is not provided in the accompanying table it just has a comment that it will be completed. We are thus asked to comment on something without the information. The end of the policy document proclaims that all sorts of stakeholders, including parish councils have been consulted on this matter. We have not as this vitally important part of the information is not provided.
Stithians Parish Council (30)	28 Sept 2010	11.2 The number which we consider appropriate. Too subjective. What are the criteria for the consideration?
Stithians Parish Council (30)	28 Sept 2010	11.2 The table with the numerical limits is not completed. How can we be consulted if the proposed limits are not given? Will Cornwall Council assume that we agree with what ever they propose? Surely this is one of the most critical elements of the whole policy?
Cornwall Feminist Network (103)	10 Oct 2010	Cornwall Feminist Network strongly recommend introducing a ‘nil’ policy for Sexual Entertainment Venues, as permitted under Schedule 3 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (LGMPA)1982 and amended by Section 27 of the Policing and Crime Act (PCA) 2009. Cornwall Feminist Network recommend this for all areas that Cornwall County Council has jurisdiction over, by ward area. The introduction of a nil policy on the granting of SEV licenses is perfectly permissible under the LGMPA (1982), as amended by the PCA (2009). Indeed, the statute specifically contemplates this option. As Philip Kolvin QC, chair of the Institute of Licensing states: “...the provision gives the authority a high degree of control, even amounting to an embargo, on sex licences or particular types of sex establishment, within particular localities. The width of the discretion is consolidated by the absence of any appeal against a refusal on this ground.” The introduction of a nil policy is currently being proposed by the London Boroughs of Hackney and Harringey. In the view of Hackney council SEVs: “…contradict and undermine its stated aims and exacerbate the challenges it faces in bring about positive, genuinely sustainable characterful and thriving neighbourhoods which support the need and principle of upskilling its population and closing the education gap across its communities.”
		In Harringey, Councillor Nilgun Canver states: "This new legislation allows us to stop lap dancing and pole dancing clubs from setting up in sensitive areas where they will cause concern. We consider this would apply to every ward and want this to be central to our policy. We are asking for comments from residents, to see if they support this stance." We aware that some lap dancing club operators have threatened to appeal against the rejection of a Sexual Entertainment Venue (SEV) licence on the grounds that it violates their human rights under the Human Rights Act 1998 and that the two rights they threaten to invoke are the right to freedom of expression and the protection of property. However, it is extremely unlikely that such an appeal would be successful considering that it is within the law for councils to set nil policies. Furthermore, the two rights specified above are qualified, they are not absolute. Philip Kolvin QC, Chairman of the Institute of Licensing, states: ”Where a rational decision has been taken by the licensing authority in accordance with the principle of the statute, it is most unlikely that the decision will be held to have been a disproportionate interference with human rights.” Indeed, before the Policing and Crime Bill became law – enabling local authorities to licence lap dancing clubs as Sexual Entertainment Venues under the LGMPA - the Minister of the Crown in charge of the Bill made a written statement that the new law, including the provision to set nil policies, was compatible with the Human Rights Act 1998. Thus the power of local authorities to set a nil policy for Sexual Entertainment Venue licenses has been validated in human rights terms. The reasons for introducing a nil policy are outlined below as factors the Council should take into account in developing policy concerning the number and location of SEVs.
Mevagissey Parish Council (6)	20 Sept 2010	Council are of the opinion that sex establishments are unsuitable for rural Villages and small Towns and therefore they should be deleted from all correspondence. Council also feels that because a ward may have a Councillor sitting on the Licensing Committee they are barred from speaking on the affairs of that ward. This is unfair and unjustifiable. The Councillor was elected to protect the residents of the area and represent their feelings how can this be done if they are unable to do so? Please remember rules are made for the guidance of wise men and the obedience of fools. Update – Mevagissey Parish Council request that any sex establishment be excluded from all parts of the conservation areas in the Parish of Mevagissey.

Saltash Town Council (4)	15 Sept 2010	We suggest two particular areas within Saltash that would be appropriate for a zero limit for all three kinds of establishment: Saltash Waterfront Reason: Presence of Youth Club and children’s play area, but also a general area of recreation for children and families. Saltash Fore Street and Lower Fore Steet Reason: This is the shopping centre of Saltash, and its regeneration is the top priority of the Town Council and Community Interest Company. It is also often a focal area for families and young people (including unaccompanied young people). Presence of a large number of alcohol or entertainment licensed premises.
Mr E –Newquay (7)	16 Oct 2010	I would like to register my views regarding the lap dancing consultation as I am unable to attend the meetings on Friday. I believe the council must set a cap of zero. The council cannot give permission for women to be sold on our high streets in an exploitative and unjust industry. In the 21st century there is no place for businesses that buy and sell human beings and sexual services. Cornwall does not need this kind of sex tourism and needs to aim higher. These clubs destroy tourism for other businesses as the type of person they attract dominates and put off other tourists. This has been shown clearly in Newquay. There is mention in the council document of treating areas differently according to specific characteristics. It is wrong to assume that because Newquay currently suffers with these clubs that this makes it OK to sanction any number of them. If it is not right for Padstow, Truro, Fowey or St Mawes - then it is not right for Newquay. This is a town that needs to rebuild its tourism industry that has been damaged so severely by these clubs. Cornwall needs to take a stand and prove it wants something different for its visitors and residents. These clubs are sexual encounter establishments and have no place in a modern Cornwall. Finally I believe the Council cannot sanction any clubs at all if it properly runs Gender Impact Assessments as required by European legislation. The Council is required to run these assessments and a proper understanding of how these clubs operate proves they cannot promote equality - they are the exact antithesis. In response to your message I would like to confirm that my suggestion of a cap of 0 refers to Central Newquay Town. I believe this to be appropriate due to the number of residential, churches and playgroups within a close proximity. Also the large number of school children that pass by these places between school and home and in the evenings to go to clubs etc. I hope this helps clarify my response. Central Newquay definition:- Headland Road to the town centre covering Fore Street, Beach Road, Gover Lane, Bank Street, East Street and all roads between Mountwise. Tolcarne Road, Holywell Road and all roads between and including Edgecumbe Avenue and Henver Road.   In addition it would agree that all sex establishments in this central ward would be seen as inappropriate locations for the same reasons I outlined before.

Ms H – Newquay (9) & (102)	19 Oct 2010 & 21 Sept 2010	19 Oct - I am writing to you with regards to the decisions that will be made relating to lap dancing licences in Newquay.   I am requesting a zero cap on the licences of lap dancing in Newquay.   We moved to Newquay almost 14 years ago.  When we moved here it was a family seaside resort with a happy atmosphere.  At that time we frequently socialised in the town, feeling confident to walk home without abuse or fear, enjoying the restaurants, pubs and clubs in the town.  Since the lap dancing establishments have opened in the town they have attracted the worst tourists britain has to offer, making the streets of Newquay at night a no go area.  My Husband and I are very conscious of going into the town centre at night because of the clientele these establishments attract.  As a family we attend family events in the town and want to shop and use the amenities in the town, but increasingly we avoid the town centre because our children's innocence is assaulted by the actions of the clients of lap dancing establishments.   Newquay has lost its family resort status and has one of the worst reputations in the country.  I believe this massive loss in tourism can be turned around by the assurance of a zero cap on lap dancing licences.  The zero cap will also give the locals the confidence to use the town's amenities again on a much larger scale, surely that can only be a good thing. 21 Sept – I support a zero cap on licences for these venues.    My reasons are that I can not go into the town with my children, X 6, Y 4, without there innocence being compromised by customers to these venues and by the people advertising the venues.    What are we teaching the young people in the area by allowing such venues to run?  We are teaching the girls that it is lucrative and acceptable to sell their bodies for the pleasure of men and that sex is a business instead of a private enjoyable experiance between an adult couple.  We are teaching the boys that it is acceptable to disrespect girls/young women and that they are a commodity rather than the beautiful beings who are more beautiful when you spend time with them and love them rather than getting your pleasures by allowing them to strip naked, 'dance', and may be negotiate more 'favors' for money at a later date.    Why is violence on the increase? why are young people so confused? the only way to turn the tide is for zero tolerance of this trade.   I hope you make the right decision on Friday
Ms H – Newquay (11)	21 Sept 2010	I am a Youth & Community worker here in Newquay and would like to see the council set a ZERO cap on Lap dancing clubs in this town. I am unable to attend the public hearing this Friday as I am attending an annual conference with other youth workers from across the country. It is imperative for all involved that this law is set at a zero level not just for the community now but for those in the future too.
Ms W – Newquay (43)	21 Sept 2010	I would like to propose as a member of the community, as a mother and as a Youth and Community Worker in the town that the council set a cap at zero with regard to any sex establishments in the locality of Newquay town centre. Newquay as a family holiday resort is an inappropriate location for any such establishments and should they be allowed it would not only negatively impact the people that live here, those who are trying to successfully raise children here but also any potential families looking to stay for a holiday in the resort. As a community we are working hard to combat alcohol/drug problems and the antisocial related behaviour to the misuse of these substances and as such Sex establishments only encourage their use and I would argue that as a town we would also see a rise in sex crime too.