Dogs would no longer be allowed to run free in the park... but you could have a barbecue
NEW RESTRICTIONS ON DOG OWNERS WHILE FIRE BAN MAY BE LIFTED
DERBYSHIRE Dales District Council is considering lifting restrictions that prevent people lighting fires and barbecues in its public parks – because it has become too hard to enforce.
However, under the same review, tough new restrictions could be placed on dog owners in the town’s public green spaces, despite an admission in a report that dog fouling is not a problem.
As part of a review of its Public Space Protection Orders, the authority is also considering relaxing rules which currently prohibit driving on to or parking in parks and open spaces, and removing dog control orders such as dog fouling bans from cemeteries and burial sites.
Councillors discussed the proposed changes to the current restrictions at the last meeting of the Community and Environment Committee and a small majority voted to push ahead with the recommendations – which will now go out for public consultation.
A handful of councillors tried to argue that, just because enforcement was difficult, having an order in place with signs up to remind people of bans would at least be partly effective in preventing fires being lit but they were outvoted.
The review, which is still subject to a final approval depending on the outcome of the public consultation, which started on Monday, would also see tougher restrictions on dog owners in some of the council’s green spaces, including Ashbourne’s Recreation Ground and Fishpond Meadow.
Currently, pet owners can allow their dogs off the lead on the recreation ground after 4pm and before 11am unless they are asked to put them back on.
This rule has been in place since 2018 with very few issues reported, but the proposal is now to remove the order and replace it with a new order that would mean dogs have to be on the lead at all times.
In Ashbourne, this new restriction would affect the recreation ground off Cokayne Avenue and supporting documents also suggest Fishpond Meadow, south of the River Henmore, would also become a dogs on leads zone.
This is despite a report being put before the council that stated: “On investigation, most of the reports for dog fouling it was found that there were no or very little evidence of dog fouling.
“It was thought it was probably a historic problem or it was perceived as a bigger problem than it actually was.”
While councillors’ eyebrows were raised by the proposal to remove the restriction on dogs fouling and being off the lead in cemeteries – the biggest bone of contention was the removal of the prohibition of open fires and barbecues.
Some councillors pointed out the environmental harm caused by fires being lit in open spaces, while others focused on the potential damage they could cause to surroundings if they go out of control.
An exception was made to Stanton Moor, where fires are often lit at the Nine Ladies Stone Circle.
But councillors voted to proceed with the recommendation that the order was lifted in all other open spaces, including parks.
Derbyshire Constabulary and Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service were asked for their views on whether or not it was sensible to lift the fires and barbecues ban, and they each said there had not been enough incidents to consider it a problem.
“There does not seem to be an issue with open fires or barbecues in the Derbyshire Dales area from a policing point of view”, said Derbyshire Constabulary’s chief constable Rachel Swann in a letter.
And chief fire officer of Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Gavin Tomlinson responded with: “There does not seem to be an issue with open fires or barbecues in the Derbyshire Dales area at this current time.”
During the debate, Councillor Tony Morley said: “Laudable though it is, ‘banning’ is just words.
“So if we can’t enforce it, why are we saying it?
“If there was some enforcement, if there were some resources to do it, then yes, I’d be thoroughly behind it, but all we’re doing is putting warm words in for the sake of it looking good.
“So it’s unenforceable and I can’t support.”
A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) means anti-social behaviour can be dealt with by the issuing of a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice by a Police Officer, Police Community Support Officer and Derbyshire Dales District Council enforcement staff.
The current PSPOs were adopted on November 1, 2018, and expire at the end of this month.
The public consultation phase, which could sway the eventual decisions, began on Monday, with a questionnaire being circulated by the district council to gauge opinion on all the review proposals.
A council spokesman said: “We are required to review the existing measures and seek the views of others, which we will take into account alongside data and evidence gathered, as any new orders must be supported by evidence.”
To take part in the current consultation, which runs until November 22, visit www.derbyshiredales.gov. uk/PSPO
On investigation...it was found that there were no or very little evidence of dog fouling. Report