Issue - meetings

The Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment to report on the recommendation from Place and Resources Overview Committee of 25 February 2021.

Decision

(a)       That a two-step approach be adopted to the control of disposable barbeques and other fire related activities firstly focussing on increasing public awareness about the risks and the wider impacts through campaigns, policies and schemes, then if necessary, introducing legislation which will result in penalties for those in contravention.
 

(b)       To achieve this the following options were approved:

(1)          Not to pursue designating areas or Dorset Council areas with a PSPO relating to BBQ’s and fire related activities this year but evaluate 2022 (Option 1)

(2)          Not to pursue having a specific byelaw at this current time (Option 2)

(3)          The Sky Lantern and Balloon Policy and the new BBQ and campfire/Wildfire Policy be adopted by Dorset Council (Option 3)

(4)          Moors Valley to investigate the gas/electric communal style BBQ option with Forestry England later (Option 4)

(5)          Officers be asked to investigate partnership funding options to support having a new Firewise voluntary warden scheme delivered through the Dorset Firewise project (Option 5)

(6)          The campaign and communication work be supported and developed and taken forward for 2021 season in line with any recommendations from the report to Cabinet of 6 April 2021. (Option 6)

(7)          Dorset Council initiate a coordinated approach to the banning of disposable BBQs in agreed high risk area's locations. This work should link with Option 3, 5 and 6 (Option 7).

Reason for Recommendation: 

This two-step approach considered the cost, the length of time it takes to introduce new legislation and difficulties in enforcement as well as the effectiveness of various control methods. The recommended approach aims to balance the various options presented to Cabinet.

The Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment set out a report on detailed options that address both the legislative as well as other alternatives available to control or prohibit barbeques and other fire related activities in the Dorset Council area. He advised that the paper set out a two-step approach including Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO’s) as a method of formal control, but acknowledged that these take some time to put into place.  

In response to a question in respect of widening the scope of the activities to include beaches.  The Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services advised that some of the beaches referred to were private and would not be covered by a PSPO. However she would continue to work with private landowners to support how they address some of these issues.

Decision

(a)       That a two-step approach be adopted to the control of disposable barbeques and other fire related activities firstly focussing on increasing public awareness about the risks and the wider impacts through campaigns, policies and schemes, then if necessary, introducing legislation which will result in penalties for those in contravention.
 

(b)       To achieve this the following options were approved:

(1)          Not to pursue designating areas or Dorset Council areas with a PSPO relating to BBQ’s and fire related activities this year but evaluate 2022 (Option 1)

(2)          Not to pursue having a specific byelaw at this current time (Option 2)

(3)          The Sky Lantern and Balloon Policy and the new BBQ and campfire/Wildfire Policy be adopted by Dorset Council (Option 3)

(4)          Moors Valley to investigate the gas/electric communal style BBQ option with Forestry England later (Option 4)

(5)          Officers be asked to investigate partnership funding options to support having a new Firewise voluntary warden scheme delivered through the Dorset Firewise project (Option 5)

(6)          The campaign and communication work be supported and developed and taken forward for 2021 season in line with any recommendations from the report to Cabinet of 6 April 2021. (Option 6)

(7)          Dorset Council initiate a coordinated approach to the banning of disposable BBQs in agreed high risk area's locations. This work should link with Option 3, 5 and 6 (Option 7).

Reason for Recommendation: 

This two-step approach considered the cost, the length of time it takes to introduce new legislation and difficulties in enforcement as well as the effectiveness of various control methods. The recommended approach aims to balance the various options presented to Cabinet.

To consider a report of the Environmental Advice Manager.

The committee considered a report of the Environment Advice Manager which set out options to look at both the legislative as well as other alternatives available to control or prohibit barbeques and other fire related activities in the Dorset Council area.  The options paper had been put together working with Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue and other partners.

Councillors discussed the issues arising from the report and reference was made to the importance of working with local members and town and parish councils to consider the particular circumstances of different areas, the use of signage and education in this area, enforcement issues and the need to review the approaches following the summer season.

It was proposed by R Tarr seconded by V Pothecary

Recommendation to Cabinet

(a)       Cabinet are recommended to adopt a two-step approach to the control of disposable barbeques and other fire related activities firstly focussing on increasing public awareness about the risks and the wider impacts through campaigns, policies and schemes, then if necessary, introducing legislation which will result in penalties for those in contravention.
 

(b)       To achieve this Cabinet are recommended to approve the following options:

(1)      Not to pursue designating areas or Dorset Council areas with a PSPO relating to BBQ’s and fire related activities this year but evaluate 2022 (Option 1)

(2)      Not to pursue having a specific byelaw at this current time (Option 2)

(3)      The Sky Lantern and Balloon Policy and the new BBQ and campfire/Wildfire Policy is adopted by Dorset Council (Option 3)

(4)      Moors Valley to investigate the gas/electric communal style BBQ option with Forestry England later (Option 4)

(5)      Officers to investigate partnership funding options to support having a new Firewise voluntary warden scheme delivered through the Dorset Firewise project (Option 5)

(6)      The campaign and communication work are supported and developed and taken forward for 2021 season in line with any recommendations from this report. (Option 6)

(7)      Dorset council initiate a coordinated approach to the banning of disposable BBQs in agreed high risk area's locations. This work should link with Option 3, 5 and 6 (Option 7).