The Public Protection Committee of Cardiff Council was scheduled to consider the renewal of licences for three Sexual Entertainment Venues (SEVs) on St Mary Street. The committee was also scheduled to discuss the control of street trading on Wild Gardens Road in Roath Park.

Renewal of Sexual Entertainment Venue Licences

The committee was scheduled to consider the renewal of licences for three Sexual Entertainment Venues (SEVs) located on St Mary Street: Dusk Till Dawn (formerly Fantasy Lounge) at 95-97 St Mary Street, For Your Eyes Only at 90 St Mary Street, and Playhouse Gentlemen's Club at 32 St Mary Street.

The report pack indicated that a significant number of objections had been received for each of these applications. These objections primarily related to the character of the locality, the use of nearby premises, the number of SEVs in the area, and concerns about the safety and use of public space by women and girls. Concerns were also raised about levels of recorded crime and disorder in the city centre, the Council's strategic commitments regarding violence against women, and the age of the Council's Statement of Sex Establishment Licensing Policy, which was last updated in 2010.

The report pack detailed the legal grounds on which the committee could refuse to renew a licence, including discretionary grounds such as the applicant's unsuitability, the management of the business, the number of sex establishments in the locality, and whether the grant or renewal would be inappropriate given the character of the locality, the use of nearby premises, or the condition of the premises themselves.

The report pack also highlighted the Council's obligations under the Equality Act 2010, specifically the Public Sector Equality Duty, which requires the Council to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations. Objections frequently referenced Cardiff's status as a City for CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women) and the Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy 2023-2028.

Control of Street Trading on Wild Gardens Road, Roath Park

The committee was also scheduled to consider a proposal to designate Wild Gardens Road, Roath Park, as a prohibited street for street trading. This designation would mean that street trading would be prohibited along the entire length of the road.

The report pack indicated that Wild Gardens Road is the only road in the immediate vicinity of Roath Park that is not already designated as a prohibited street. The surrounding principal roads, including Lake Road East and Lake Road West, are already prohibited, with this prohibition extending 35 metres into adjoining streets.

Representations had been received from members of the public, park concession operators, and ward councillors expressing concerns about the increasing number of mobile catering units trading on Wild Gardens Road. These concerns included highway safety, obstruction, parking pressures, littering, waste management, vermin, public amenity, the impact on the character of the park environment, and the effect on businesses operating under concession agreements with the Council. The report pack noted that some units were remaining on the road for extended periods, with generators placed on the highway and semi-permanent structures erected, suggesting a level of permanence beyond traditional mobile street trading.

The report pack outlined the legal procedure for designating a street as prohibited, which involves statutory consultation and the opportunity for representations to be made before a final decision is taken. The recommendation was to designate Wild Gardens Road as a prohibited street to align it with the other principal roads serving Roath Park.

The committee was also scheduled to receive apologies for absence and to note any declarations of interest. The minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 March 2024 were scheduled for approval.