The Licensing Committee of Breckland Council is scheduled to meet to discuss a revised Sex Establishment Licensing Policy, and to review the performance of the council's licensing activities. The meeting will also include a verbal update on the latest legislative changes.

Breckland Sex Establishment Licensing Policy

The committee will be asked to consider a report regarding the Breckland Sex Establishment Licensing Policy. The report recommends that the committee approve the revised policy for adoption with immediate effect.

The current Breckland Sex Establishment Licensing Policy was adopted by Full Council on 23 May 2013. According to the report, whilst there have been no legislative changes, the updated policy will take into account issues such as:

• Modern slavery
• Human trafficking
• Child sexual exploitation

The proposed new policy aims to provide guidance to applicants on how Breckland Council will determine licences under Schedule 3 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982¹ for:

• Sex shops
• Sex cinemas
• Sexual entertainment venues

A public consultation on the draft revised policy took place between 6 June and 31 August 2025. Two responses were received, from the Police licensing team and the Sex Workers Union (SWU). The responses are included in Appendix C of the report.

The Police Alcohol Licensing Officer, Chris Brooks, suggested that some of the conditions might require updating to meet modern customer expectations. He noted that conditions 11 and 12 in Appendix C refer to deliberate contact between dancer and customer, and asked whether the rules are different for private dances. He also noted that Home Office guidelines stipulate that recorded images should be stored for 28 days, whereas condition 33 states 14 days.

The Sex Workers Union (SWU) stated that the draft policy overlooks the workers whose livelihoods and safety would be directly affected. The SWU also challenged the assumptions about the location of sex establishments, stating that identity checks and discrete signage can minimise the visual presence. The SWU stated that there is no reliable evidence that sexual entertainment venues have a negative impact on their surrounding areas, or that licensing a venue increases violence against women and girls. The SWU also suggested that the policy could be used to direct venues to promote information about the SWU with their employees, and to make stipulations around fair treatment of employees.

The report lists three options available to the committee:

1. Do nothing, which would result in keeping the current policy that does not reflect the need to consider modern slavery, human trafficking and child sexual exploitation.
2. Approve the proposed policy contained in Appendix B without changes.
3. Approve the proposed policy contained in Appendix B with changes.

Licensing Performance Update

The committee will be asked to consider a report providing an update on completed and ongoing work to ensure this is visible and transparent.

According to the report, the licensing team works with partner agencies to protect communities and ensure the safety of the public using licensed vehicles, premises and businesses. The team strives to ensure that the licensing objectives are being met, including:

• Protecting children and the vulnerable from harm
• The prevention of crime and disorder
• The prevention of nuisance
• Public safety

The report notes that a licensing officer has been working with trading standards officers in Thetford due to concerns about illegal and illicit tobacco products at licensed premises. The officer has also been working with colleagues from environmental protection regarding noise concerns and monitoring at several premises and events around the district.

The five-year review of the Breckland Licensing Act 2003 policy has been undertaken, and the outcome of the public consultation is being presented to the Committee of the Licensing Authority to seek recommendation of approval to Full Council.

A Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP) has been launched in Thetford. The aims of the CAP are to:

• Prevent underage drinking
• Reduce alcohol-related anti-social behaviour
• Improve young people's health and wellbeing
• Support local responsible retailers
• Strengthen partnership working

The partners have agreed an action plan, and the council hopes this will have a positive impact. The council intends to set up a further CAP in Dereham next.

The council continues to provide assistance and knowledge to event organisers working with partner agencies through the Safety Advisory Group (SAG). There are several large-scale events due to take place over the coming months, including Christmas light switch-ons in each of the market towns and firework displays/events.

Enquiries and applications for both driver's and new vehicles to be licensed in the Breckland area have increased substantially. A driver had their Breckland driver licence immediately revoked following receipt of information from the Police Disclosure Unit. An immediate revocation has also occurred on the grounds of medical fitness. A Licensing Panel Hearing was held for two drivers in August 2025. One received a two-week suspension, whilst the other has to attend an advanced driving course. A driver has had their Breckland driver licence reinstated as their medical condition has improved and they now meet the DVLA Group 2 medical standards. The team are currently investigating a number of cases, including:

• A reported unlicensed vehicle working in the Dereham area
• A taxi reported for taking more than the licensed number of passengers on a journey
• Safeguarding concerns of a taxi driver on a school contract

The review of the Department for Transport (DfT) guidance (issued in November 2023) is currently underway. It is anticipated that a review document will be presented to the Committee next year for consideration, as changes to the Taxi Policy will be required.

The council advertised for 'Expressions of Interest' from garages seeking to become one of the authorised garages for taxi testing in June 2025. The council received three 'expressions of interest' and are currently reviewing applications.

The new Standards of Modern Zoo Practice for Great Britain were published on 24 May 2025, and will come into force in May 2027, replacing the 2012 standards. The council is currently reviewing the new standards so that they are well placed to assist the zoo with the implementation of this by May 2027.

A site inspection has been carried out for the renewal of one of the scrap metal licences. The purpose of the inspections is to ensure compliance with legislation in terms of record keeping/recording, payment records and site management.

Officers will continue to check whether businesses are compliant with the requirements for gaming machines in pubs and clubs, as well as visiting licensed gambling premises.

Officers continue to inspect licensed street traders and seek out unlicensed vendors in the district.

Officers will continue to check that businesses are compliant with the requirements for pavement licensing. An investigation is underway on a premises that has been reported to be breaching the hours permitted on the pavement licence. Two premises have temporarily removed their tables and chairs whilst they implement a new cleaning regime.

The consultation on the review of the Breckland Sex Establishment Policy and conditions has been undertaken and will be presented to the Licensing Committee.