The Isle of Wight has moved a step closer to seeing restrictions on using disposable barbecues and the release of sky lanterns and balloons at ‘high-risk’ sites.
County Hall’s environment and community protection committee (ECPC) last Thursday (24th September) voted to develop a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) covering critical council-owned areas.
The move comes after public consultation found widespread support for a clampdown, particularly regarding balloon releases.
PSPOs are powers given to councils to deal with anti-social behaviour.
Councillor Vix Lowthion, Green Party representative for Carisbrooke and Gunville, put forward the approved proposal to develop a targeted PSPO. This option involves restrictions only in areas with a higher risk of wildfire, environmental damage or harm.
Cllr Lowthion said:
“The public very clearly wanted us to look at the PSPO. We should take the powers that we have…and lead the other landowners by banning.
“We already do have the education…what we need are powers of enforcement because the enforcement by itself is a deterrent.”
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Liberal Democrat Bembridge councillor Mark Rochell said signage which says something is banned is ‘far more effective’ than signs with an advisory message. He said:
“One single email, press release…saying there is a ban – people will know there’s a ban. It might even make people who aren’t on council-owned land think they can’t do it – so it could have a huge effect.”
A report from Simon Moon, County Hall’s strategic director of community services, previously recommended ECPC agree not to progress a PSPO at this time. It said that while a PSPO is legally available, the evidence, funding and enforcement arrangements required are not currently established.
The report advised 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 included 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.
On Thursday, Ventnor Conservative councillor Ed Blake unsuccessfully proposed this officer recommendation.
He said he agreed with Cllr Lowthion that it would be far better to have an enforcement approach but added that the council is currently unable to enforce the PSPOs it has, something he described as a ‘massive worry’.
Councillor Richard Quinn, Reform UK representative for Mounjoy and Shide, said he understood Cllr Lowthion’s point but agreed with Cllr Blake. He added:
“If you put a sign up saying ‘or else’, if you don’t enforce it and you haven’t got the people to enforce it, they’ll soon know what’s going on”.
ECPC’s approved motion says the development of a PSPO covering selected high-risk locations is to be considered when setting the committee’s priorities and as part of the budget setting recommendations to the policy, finance and resources committee.
