Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has considered the potential merits of extending to people who are objecting to decisions to grant a sexual entertainment licence the same rights of appeal as people have who are objecting to alcohol and gambling licences.

It is open to any individual to object to the decision to grant a sexual entertainment licence. The Policing and Crime Act 2009 determined that decisions on licensing applications for sexual entertainment venues are best made at a local level and it is for local authorities licensing committees to consider whether granting a licence for a sexual entertainment venue is appropriate for their area.

When considering an application for the grant, renewal or transfer of a licence the appropriate authority should have regard to any observations submitted to it by the chief officer of police and any objections that they have received from anyone else within 28 days of the application.

We routinely review local licensing regulations to ensure that local people are able to contribute to the development of their community.