This post is on the BDSM Activism web board.
| Tue 26 Apr 11, 6:34 PM Tanos  UK(M), 14 yrs    |
Sheffield Council is trying to get La Chambre (a swingers' venue used for BDSM nights too) to apply for a Sexual Entertainment Venue license under the 2009 ammendments to the 1982 local government act. La Chambre
have objected that they don't provide entertainment but the licensing committee
appear to have brushed them aside. Not only is there a non-refundable cost of thousands of pounds just to apply for a license, but the consultation allows the usual suspects to object to the very idea of such things going on in that council's area. We've discussed this back in February when Warrington Council adopted the new powers specifically to target a BDSM venue. The text of the ammendments are here. Is anyone aware of any other councils doing the same thing? Or saying that swingers' venues or BDSM events aren't subject to the new powers? :T: | ||
| 26 Apr 11, 6:40 PM hollythedolly UK(NN), 2 yrs   |
Is lechambre a private members club They maybe able to get around it that way. This is a question but as a group of people is there anyway we can sort this out? So that the community isn't more underground as it already is? | ||
| 26 Apr 11, 6:41 PM bohnanza UK(FK), 12 yrs  |
La Chambre are a bit loose when it comes to interpreting the law, so it is good they are getting a bit of an arse kicking by someone else who may be a bit loose at legalities. Rohypnol means never having to say "Would you like another coffee?". | ||
| 26 Apr 11, 6:42 PM hollythedolly UK(NN), 2 yrs |
whether they are or not it means another venue gone So that there will be nothing soon | ||
| 26 Apr 11, 6:47 PM Empress_Martine UK(HA), 2 yrs £     |
This needs sorted out legally by a test case in court. Yes it will be expensive but it will settle the argument,does a private members club whoes membership are swingers,requires a sexual entertainment liecense? Once that is sorted out then everyone knows where they stand under the law,if they run a private members club with a sexual element. http://empressm7.uboot.com/ http://www.socialkink.com/empressmartine Vampire, pro/lifestyle ts dom and switch. Age play mummy/aunty/AB ,medical play,domestic, energy and outdoor specialist. "Beyond the government,above the police . Edited 26 Apr 11, 6:54 PM by Empress_Martine | ||
| 26 Apr 11, 6:55 PM verte UK(E), 8 yrs |
I can say that KSL has had huge difficulty finding a new venue after looking in several different London boroughs, precisely because so many venue owners are worried that to host our parties would mean having to apply for one of these licenses. ETA: in Southwark, where we hope to move, it appears to be in draft: www.southwark.gov.uk/download/5538/draft_sex_est... Will be keeping a very close eye on developments. Railing against the tyranny of 'common sense'. Edited 26 Apr 11, 7:44 PM by verte | ||
| 26 Apr 11, 6:55 PM Tanos UK(M), 14 yrs |
Private members' clubs are covered by the new powers too. :T: | ||
| 26 Apr 11, 6:59 PM Purvection UK(M), 8 yrs    |
Highly unlikely a test case will settle it. Licences are handed out by local authorities, which each have their own by-laws. There is no national law on this. Anything decided in Sheffield re La Chambre will only affect Sheffield and not anywhere else. Obviously, what Sheffield Council gets up to may influence other local authorities in terms of them also making such demands of venues but it won't create a national precedent. Cases will still be decided locally according to the LA's powers and by-laws and it will remain so unless and until the government decides to impose a national law on this issue, which is also highly unlikely, given it is committed to devolving powers back to LAs under the Localism Bill.
Aut disce aut discede. Manet sors tertia caedi | ||
| 26 Apr 11, 7:01 PM hollythedolly UK(NN), 2 yrs |
Well it looks like the only the club that will be available soon will be IC then Unless CAAN or the spanner trust(or whoever does bdsm rights) actually want to fight for us. | ||
| 26 Apr 11, 7:19 PM skyfox UK(EH), 5 yrs  |
Similar ammendments were proposed in Scotland but failed to be accepted into the CJLA (2010). Labour has indicated they will mostly likely be trying again in the new Parliament. We'll be watching this one from Scotland. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. | ||
| 26 Apr 11, 7:34 PM Tanos UK(M), 14 yrs |
I linked to the ammendments to the 1982 local government act in the OP. These apply to all of England and Wales so "there is no national law on this" is false. The act sets out penalities for offences of breaking this law, so test cases in court are very possible and would likely hinge on what kind of venue legally requires such a license. :T: Edited 26 Apr 11, 7:35 PM by Tanos |
