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Latest news in Yorkshire: November 07, 2018 03:01:49 PM
Council leaders want to hear from residents about the types of places in
Rotherham where they think it’s not suitable for sex establishments,
like strip and lap dancing clubs and sex shops to operate.
Rotherham Council is proposing to consult on where these should be, with
the view to establishing a more robust policy around such
establishments. This could mean applications being refused in certain
inappropriate locations, including near schools, places of worship,
women’s refuges, play areas and family leisure facilities like theatres.
The Council is considering such establishments opening where they would
be of a detriment to local areas or amenities.
At the same time the Council wants to introduce regulations to ensure
those working in such premises are treated fairly.
Workers in sex-establishments across the country are often classed as
self-employed and therefore denied the benefits of being an employee,
but without the freedom of self-employment. There are currently no
regulations to stop those running sex establishments imposing fines on
their workers, even for minor infringements. In some places workers are
expected to pay “house fees” for the privilege to be allowed to work and
have a percentage of their earnings taken by club owners, without
regulations protecting them from being exploited.
Cllr Emma Hoddinott, Cabinet member for Waste, Roads and Community
Safety and Chair of the Safer Rotherham Partnership said: “We need to
look again at this particular industry in Rotherham.
“It is time we reviewed the licensing around sex establishments,
ensuring we have the best interests of our communities at heart when
applications are heard. This is why we want to seek residents’ views.”
The laws around these sorts of clubs have tightened up nationally in
recent years, following the introduction of the Police and Crime Act
2009, including establishments having to apply for licences on an annual
basis. Previously such clubs had been regulated under laws designed to
control pubs and nightclubs.
The Council’s Cabinet is set to discuss these issues at its meeting on
19 November. Members are expected to agree to a public consultation
being carried out to seek residents’ views on a draft policy.
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