Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chairman for the meeting and the Chairman to present and explain the procedure for the meeting.

Cllr Parker, as Chairman of the Licensing Committee, set out the procedure for the meeting and asked those present to introduce themselves.      

Cllr Fry proposed that Cllr Andrews be elected as Chairman, and this was seconded by Cllr Parker

Decision

That Cllr Jon Andrews be elected Chairman for the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence.

No apologies for absence were received at the meeting.

To receive any declarations of interest.

No declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests were made at the meeting.

To determine an application to vary a sex shop licence.

The Sub-Committee considered a report by the Executive Director for Place on an application from My Fantasy, Ranelagh Road, Weymouth to vary the conditions of the Sex Shop's Licence. 

The application sought amendments to current conditions:-

Condition 29 - to modify the shop's entrance to allow circulation of air around the premises without allowing passers-by to see into the premises when it was open; and

Condition 43 - to allow a bigger LCD display than currently specified for the advertisement of non-licensed material.

No objections had been received when the current licence was renewed, but two objections had been received to the amendments - one from Weymouth Town Council and one from a local resident.  Details were contained within the report.

The premises had been operating responsibly for a number of years.  There had been a complaint earlier in the year relating to the size of the LCD display screen.  It was confirmed by visit that this was bigger than stipulated in the licence and this was rectified by the owner.

The Sub-Committee could grant, vary or refuse the application.

The applicant in support of his application stated that other shops in Weymouth were able to use large LCD screens and he wanted the chance to be able to move forward in line with the rest of the high street.  He had invested in being more environmentally friendly and having a larger screen would make the business easier to manage.  He was not in business to shock or scare people and would only display non-sex licensed products, which would be mainly underwear.  The window would only allow a maximum of a 50" screen, similar to those currently on display in Boots, Vodafone and Free.

Members had made a site visit to the premises and at that time the doors had been propped open which was contrary to the current licence.  Concern was expressed for what passers-by could see and for those visiting the premises.

In response the applicant explained that he had thought a recent press article had meant that the application had been successful and apologised for this misunderstanding.  He had made similar changes to his other premises without any complaints.  He explained that licensed products would be towards the back of the shop and not be visible from outside the premises.  He was willing to work with the authority to ensure conditions were not breached.

Cllr Lucy Hamilton stated that Weymouth Town Council's Planning and Licensing Committee had considered this application on 16 June 2020.  They had not objected to the renewal of the licence but objected to a TV screen of any size in the window display, that any such screen should not display controversial or offensive material, should not contravene the Weymouth Local Plan and not be inappropriate for the area.  The Committee had also felt that the lobby must be set up to prevent passers-by from seeing licenced products but it was recognised that the establishment had run for a number of years without issue.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

To determine an application to vary the premises licence.

This item was withdrawn before the meeting.

To consider any items of business which the Chairman has had prior notification and considers to be urgent pursuant to section 100B (4) b) of the Local Government Act 1972. The reason for the urgency shall be recorded in the minutes.

There were no urgent items.

To move the exclusion of the press and the public for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph x of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

The public and the press will be asked to leave the meeting whilst the item of business is considered.

There was no exempt business.