Agenda and minutes

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

Proposed by Cllr Wheller and seconded by Cllr Monks.

Decision: That Cllr Beer be elected as Chair for the duration of the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence.

No apologies for absence were received at the meeting.

To disclose any pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interests as set out in the adopted Code of Conduct. In making their disclosure councillors are asked to state the agenda item, the nature of the interest and any action they propose to take as part of their declaration.

If required, further advice should be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

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

An objection to the renewal of the sex entertainment venue in Weymouth has been received and must be heard by a Sub-Committee prior to determination.

The Senior Licensing Officer presented a report setting out the application for the renewal of a Sexual Entertainment Venue Licence for “Wiggle, Weymouth”. Members were advised that the application had to be heard by the Sub-Committee before determination because there had been one public objection to the renewal of the licence. The Senior Licensing Officer explained that there had been no objections to the renewal of the licence from the Police, local ward member or Town Council.

Mr Ojla emphasised that there were no objections from the Police or Town Council and that all other relevant points were set out in the written submission.

Ms Stockwell addressed the Sub-Committee with an objection to the renewal of the licence. Ms Stockwell questioned whether the applicant was a fit and proper person to hold a licence and referenced ownership of an unlicensed HMO located in Hampshire and an outstanding building control issue. She also raised concerns that the premises would draw in customers with questionable morals, who would make families visiting the area uncomfortable, given the proximity of the establishment to the seafront and nearby holiday park. Ms Stockwell stated that the Weymouth Regeneration Project, as well as local historic sites would bring in more tourists to the area, whose visit would be impacted by the users of the premises. Finally, an objection was raised to the logo of the establishment, which was displayed on the exterior of the building, which Ms Stockwell believed to indicate nudity, which would be in breach of the licence conditions.

In response to a question from one member, Ms Stockwell confirmed that she had not personally visited the establishment, however the applicant had offered for her to do so.

Mr Ojla explained that he was not aware of any outstanding building control issues with the business.

The Senior Licensing Officer confirmed that there were no noise objections from Environmental Health.

Decision:

That the sexual entertainment venue licence be renewed, with all the conditions from the previous licence applied.

To consider any items of business which the Chair 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.

There are no exempt items scheduled for this meeting.  

There was no exempt business.