Decision to be made on whether Rotherham sex clubs should face new controls

The council’s ruling Cabinet has agreed to ask the full council, made up all members, to decide whether to move forwards with work that could see establishments including sex cinemas and sex shops having to meet stricter rules for how they operate.

To move forwards, the whole council must agree and if that happens, officers will begin drawing up a set of proposed rules.

At present, such establishments are governed only by the same rules which apply to other entertainment premises, such as bars.

Public consultations have already been conducted, with the majority of those responding in favour of the council taking further action.

Council leader Coun Chris Read told colleagues at a Cabinet meeting there had been a misconception among some people that the consultations meant the council was in support of such trade – when in fact “That is certainly not the case, it is about better regulation,” he said.