Disposable barbecues could be banned on beaches

Cornwall Council is considering a ban on the use of disposable barbecues on beaches following this summer’s spate of wildfires.

At a meeting of the council’s community wellbeing scrutiny committee today (Thursday, September 10), its vice-chairman Cllr James Mustoe, who has raised the issue several times over the years, asked if it was time to go down that route.

“Do you think it’s time for us as a council to go through the process of a PSPO and banning the use of single use barbecues on our beaches?” he asked Cllr Thalia Marrington, cabinet member for community safety.

A PSPO, or public spaces protection order, is a legal tool used by local councils to ban or restrict specific activities in a defined zone, such as dog bans on beaches.

Cllr Marrington said a letter was sent from the Government’s housing, communities and local government secretary Angela Rayner to all councils following the spate of wildfires this summer. She added that the responsible team at Cornwall Council has started looking at the possibility of introducing a PSPO.

Rayner’s letter urged councils to review and utilise their existing legal mechanisms, such as PSPOs, to restrict open fires, campfires and barbecue use in highly vulnerable areas like parks, beaches and moors.

Kevin Brader, head of public protection at Cornwall Council, told the meeting there have been initial conversations with the fire service on the matter. He said a substantial stakeholder consultation would be needed before proceeding.

Discussions have included the possibility of introducing a PSPO for three years, which could be renewed following another period of consultation, and whether it would be seasonal or permanent. Mr Brader said a letter has been sent to some of the larger landowners in Cornwall to gain their views on a possible ban.

Cllr Brian Clemens said: “As a member of the retail trade, we pulled all disposable barbecues immediately when this fire risk started and I’m pleased to say that everybody in St Just did the same.

“It’s a bit unfortunate because a lot of the disposable barbecues we sell are used at home, but I think if things are going to continue like this I would certainly support a total ban as somebody who sells them.”

Cllr Mustoe told us: “As a councillor with several beaches in my coastal division, I have always been keenly aware of the issues caused by the careless misuse and disposal of single use barbecues, not just as the cause of wildfires, as we have recently seen over the summer, but also on different occasions where barbecues have been buried and caused injuries by making the sand dangerously hot.

“In previous years I have explored ways by which a ban of these barbecues could be introduced on Cornwall Council beaches and open spaces, but was told that the enforcement would be an issue, despite it being broadly supported within the organisation.

“Given the national moves around temporarily restricting the sale and use of single use barbecues over the summer due to the wildfires that have been caused, I think that now is the time for Cornwall Council to look at this again, and was pleased to see an acknowledgement of this from the cabinet member and council officers, that this is being closely considered as a future option.

“I look forward to seeing the outcome of this and would certainly support any moves to restrict the use of single barbecues within the areas that Cornwall Council can do so.”