Could Disposable Barbecues Be Banned On Isle of Wight Beaches? Councillors To Decide

A consultation on restricting the use of disposable barbecues, sky lanterns and balloons could be approved by Isle of Wight councillors this week.

The environment and community protection committee (ECPC) may opt to give the council’s service manager for waste and public realm, Emily Tapsfield, power to carry out a consultation on a proposed Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).

County Hall’s PSPO would ban the use of disposable barbecues, the release of sky lanterns and balloons on or in council owned parks, open spaces, and on beaches.

Areas such as seafronts, playgrounds and sports and recreational facilities would be included in the ban.

A committee report from the strategic director of community services, Colin Rowland, says:

“Under the powers granted by the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, local authorities may introduce Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) to address specific behaviours that have a detrimental effect on the quality of life in a locality.

“PSPOs are intended to prevent or reduce persistent problems in public spaces through proportionate and evidence-based restrictions.

“In line with statutory requirements, the council must consult with the chief officer of police, the police and crime commissioner, and other relevant stakeholders, as well as engage the public through proportionate and inclusive consultation.

“This report recommends initiating that process to assess community and stakeholder support for the proposed PSPO.

“The use of single-use disposable barbecues, and the release of sky lanterns and balloons outdoors present a number of environmental and safety risks, including injury to people and animals from improperly disposed barbecues, fire hazards from barbecue waste in public bins, harm to wildlife and livestock from balloon and lantern debris and increased clean-up and disposal costs for the council.”

A consultation would ‘first seek to establish whether the use of disposable barbecues, the release of sky lanterns or balloons is causing a nuisance, and then further to understand support for the introduction of a PSPO’, the report adds.

ECPC will meet at County Hall at 5pm on Thursday.