Have your say on Public Space Protection Orders - barbecues, lanterns and balloons

Overview

The use of single-use, disposable barbecues and the release of lanterns and balloons outdoors has caused an impact on the environment and increased clear up and costs for Brighton & Hove City Council.

Following complaints and feedback we would like to hear your views on our plan to solve this problem.

More information on the use of single-use, disposable barbecues

• litter bins have been set alight in Brighton & Hove - this may have been due to the incorrect disposal of single-use barbecues
• Biffa issued an alert about the dangers of putting disposable barbecues in bins
• Dorset Council has banned all barbecues in its country parks and on land considered to be a high fire risk
• the Co-op will no longer sell single-use, disposable barbecues in any stores situated within a one-mile radius of all UK National Parks - this is to help prevent wildfires

More information on releasing lanterns and balloons

• the RSPCA has a campaign to End Sky Litter due to the problems balloons and lanterns cause to animals
• the National Fire Chiefs Council has highlighted the issues caused by lanterns
• many councils across the country have already banned the release of sky lanterns on council owned land
• the RSPCA has shared some alternatives to balloon releases and lanterns

Proposals

We have proposed some solutions to prevent the problems caused by single-use, disposable barbecues and lanterns and balloons.

Proposal 1: single-use, disposable barbecues

The use of single-use, disposable barbecues cause problems for the environment and the council in the following ways:

• they pose a significant fire risk when in use and if not disposed of correctly - there have been many times when they have caused bins and the surrounding area to catch fire
• they present a risk of injury to people and animals, particularly on the beach and in open spaces
• they can scorch and damage the environment around them if they are not set up correctly
• the taxpayer has to pay for the tidy up when not disposed of

Together, this causes an environmental impact and creates significant additional costs for the council.

It is proposed that:

• the use of single-use, disposable barbecues are not permitted in or on council-owned parks, open spaces and the seafront
• appropriate enforcement measures are introduced

Proposal 2: lanterns and balloons

The release of lanterns and balloons outdoors causes problems for the council and the environment in the following ways:

• they cannot be dispose of in a safe way as the owner has no way of finding it - once released there is no way of ensuring a lantern is extinguished before it reaches the ground
• balloons and lanterns return to the ground as litter and can be ingested by animals, birds and marine wildlife, causing risk of death, injury and entrapment

Together, this causes an environmental impact and creates significant additional costs for the council.

It is proposed that:

• the release of lanterns and balloons are not permitted in or on council-owned parks, open spaces and the seafront
• appropriate enforcement measures are introduced

Enforcement

It is proposed that Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) are introduced to prohibit the use of single use-disposal barbecues and the release of lanterns and balloons in or on council-owned parks, open spaces and the seafront.

PSPOs are designed to counter unreasonable and persistent behaviour that affects the quality of life of residents.

With a PSPO in place, the council would be able to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice for anyone found breaching it.