The District Council seems set to start consulting a few local organisations on new bye-laws for our parks and open spaces. according to this report on the council website (130kb)
The Council?s byelaws for the District?s open spaces date back to 1976 for pleasure grounds and 1946 for Hockley Woods. A number of issues have arisen over the years which mean that the byelaws are no longer fit for purpose and require updating….
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Firstly, the Council currently has no power to enforce against activities, such as metal detecting, paramotoring, model aircrafts and the use of fire lanterns, which have become more popular over the years.
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Secondly, since the original byelaws were published the Council has acquired land to create new Public Open Space and these areas are not covered by the byelaws. These acquisitions include Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park and Sweyne Park….
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In order to progress this matter, proposed byelaws were considered by the Member Advisory Group for Cherry Orchard Country Park. The most significant issue for the Country Park relates to control over fishing. It is relevant that there are no convenient car parking or toilet facilities near Cherry Orchard lake and that both nuisance and damage has resulted from fishing activities. It is, therefore, intended to consult on the basis of banning fishing in Cherry Orchard and all other open spaces apart from Rochford Reservoir and Ferndale Public Open Space.
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The proposed byelaws are shown in the appendix.
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It is proposed to undertake a 2 month period of consultation with the Parish and Town Councils, the Police, the Friends Groups and Fields in Trust, together with any local model aircraft and metal detector groups. Once the public consultation is completed we will make a formal application to the DCLG. A report will then be submitted to the Executive with recommendations that the matter should be determined by Full Council.
The report says ‘The proposed byelaws are shown in the appendix’, but the appendix doesn’t seen to be on the website , and we haven’t seen it yet either.
Very glad to see the inclusion of a Park Warden scheme but here is my question: What, if any, powers will they have, how would they deal with, say, yoof / yob issues ?
That’s still got to be decided….
Mmmm, if the warden is a 6 foot 4 inch “geezer” equipped with riot gear and tazer then we might have a chance, if, however he is more like Norman Potter from the Fenn Street Gang then we are doomed. ( I am guessing that only readers over 45 will get that one )