Possible restrictions on using disposable barbecues and releasing sky lanterns and balloons on Isle of Wight Council-owned land could be ruled out for the time being.
County Hall officers have advised the environment and community protection committee (ECPC) to acknowledge there is currently ‘insufficient’ funding, organisational capacity and supporting evidence to progress the policies.
This is despite ‘significant public support’ for the measures, and comes at a time when the Island has had a significant wildfire during the recent heatwave – thought to have been caused by a campfire.
A public consultation found 69% of respondents support a restriction on disposable barbecues, compared to 88% for sky lanterns, 84% for balloon releases and 82% supporting the use of Fixed Penalty Notices for enforcement.
Last September, ECPC members voted to press ahead with a process seeking to establish whether the practices are causing a ‘nuisance’ and understand support for the introduction of new Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs).
Public support alone is not enough to justify introducing a PSPO curtailing the activities, a council report says ahead of an ECPC meeting on Thursday (30th July).
PSPOs, brought in in 2014, are among a range of powers and tools to help tackle anti-social behaviour locally, according to the Local Government Association.
The report states:
“The consultation demonstrated significant public support for restrictions relating to disposable barbecues, sky lanterns and balloon releases.
“However, all options involving regulatory intervention would require substantial further legal, evidential, consultation and implementation work before the council could determine whether restrictions were justified, proportionate and enforceable.
“No funding source has been identified to support this work, and progression would require the diversion of officer capacity from existing statutory duties and approved corporate priorities.”
ECPC councillors will meet at County Hall at 17:00 this Thursday.
