Possible restrictions on using disposable barbecues and releasing sky lanterns and balloons on Isle of Wight Council-owned land may be shelved for the time being.
While a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) is legally available, the evidence, funding and enforcement arrangements required are not currently established, a new report says.
Simon Moon, County Hall’s strategic director of community services, has recommended the environment and community protection committee (ECPC) agree not to progress a PSPO at this time.
It comes after public consultation found widespread support for restrictions, particularly regarding sky lanterns and balloon releases.
ECPC councillors previously requested council officers carry out further work to look at whether more targeted and proportionate interventions could reduce wildfire risk and environmental harm while remaining within current resources.
Mr Moon’s report advises ECPC to approve a targeted wildfire prevention approach at council-owned sites presenting an increased wildfire risk from public use, including key parks and amenity beaches.
Proposed actions include enhanced public education and seasonal awareness campaigns, partnership working with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, parish and town councils, landowners, retailers, campsites and tourism providers and targeted advisory signage.
The report also makes two other recommendations: that officers monitor the approach’s effectiveness over the 2027 wildfire season, reporting back to the committee within 12 months, and the committee keeps the potential for a site-specific PSPO under review.
Councillors are due to discuss Mr Moon’s paper next Thursday 24th September.
Who is going to police it, no one bothers about
Numpties parking on Double Yellow Lines etc
There is not enough persons to ENFORCE law and order
on the island.
THe only reason these were banned was from a drought. Fair enough but then lift the restrictions and stop being a communist or facist state. People still want their BBQs and these are mostly on the beach and rarely cause issuues. Its possible a bbq may cause fire yes but no one banned all steam engine during the steam show when it caused a fire or banned all cars with the last few car fires.
What is the matter with the council (as if we didn’t know). There is overwhelming evidence of the risks these things bring, the vast majority of the electorate want them banned but the council want to put the whole issue on the “too hard” pile. Why can’t we have a can do approach?
There’s no point worrying or adhering to any new local or national laws & by-laws. You are told one thing then the opposite & there’s little thought or commitment to anything. It all done on impulse. Best to follow your own way & if it’s wrong nobody will investigate & no penalty will be imposed. They aren’t really interested
Common sense prevails. 99% of people are responsible with disposable bbq’s. This Nanny-state Government are already stomping roughshod over our freedoms. Thankfully this Council is using common sense. For now.
But the 1% who aren’t or think it’s ok to start a campfire on tinder dry heathland cause mayhem and a boy thanks for the fire services up and down UK that 1% didn’t murder anybody!..as for sky lanterns farmers and wildlife worst nightmare really is rune they were consigned to history as”a good idea at the time”!.
While I am in general in favour of freedom, Once I told off some people for hitting the back of my beach hut, next day I found a barbeque underneath it. It wasn’t there the day before.
Dithering and wasting huge amounts of money. Our inept council’s forte.