Agenda item

To consider whether to agree policies for issues such as drones, sky lanterns and barbeques in Alice Park.  A copy of the B&NES policy on both barbeques and drones is attached along with the current byelaws relating to parks.

The sub-committee discussed whether to adopt policies on particular activities within Alice Park, taking into consideration the current policies on drones and barbeques for parks managed by B&NES Council and existing byelaws.

(a)  Drones

RESOLVED: To adopt the B&NES Council policy regarding drones which states that drones are not permitted without permission.

(b)  Sky Lanterns

It was noted that B&NES Council does not currently have a policy regarding sky lanterns. 

Members discussed the following issues:

·  Cllr Myers felt that sky lanterns should not be permitted without express permission from the Trust (for example when releasing lanterns is an integral part of an event).

·  Bill Shaw was concerned at the proximity of the park to the London Road and felt that lanterns could present a safety risk.

·  Graham Page and Cllr Wright felt that sky lanterns should not be permitted.

Shaine Lewis, Legal Services Manager, advised that the Trust would only have control over the use of lanterns within the park.  The lanterns could land outside of the park grounds and this could pose a fire risk which was, ultimately, a risk for the Trust.

Following consideration of the legal advice provided, it was:

RESOLVED: To prohibit sky lanterns within Alice Park.

(c)  Barbeques and Open Fires

It was noted that in B&NES Council-run parks barbeques are prohibited unless there are designated facilities (which are only provided in the Royal Victoria Park).  However, even with the correct equipment provided, barbeques can still represent a fire risk.

The following issues were discussed:

·  Graham Page felt that there should be a complete ban but that this should be kept under review.  He noted that the risks can be high.

·  Cllr Appleyard pointed out that Alice Park has a café which serves food and so there is less need for people to have barbeques.

·  Bill Shaw did not think that barbeques should be permitted.

·  Cllr Myers raised the issue of open fires and whether these should be prohibited.  It was noted that the forest school have made a request to use a fire pit and members felt that that this could be an exception as long as it can be controlled.

·  Cllr Appleyard explained that, if given express permission, the forest school would use a fire pit in a designated position in the fenced off area by the pond.

·  Cllr Wright stated that that forest school should be treated as an exception and also that the community garden area should be permitted to have a “Kelly fire”.

·  Shaine Lewis, Legal Advisor, explained that the local byelaws prohibited damage to any turfed areas, and this would effectively rule out barbeques which would cause damage to the grassed area.

RESOLVED:

(1)  To prohibit barbeques in Alice Park.

(2)  To prohibit open fires in Alice Park without prior written approval from the Chair of the Alice Park Trust Sub-Committee or a designated officer.

(d)  Byelaws

The Sub-Committee noted the B&NES byelaws which were circulated with the agenda papers, some of which apply to Alice Park.  Shaine Lewis advised members that it would be preferable to have a policy on the byelaws and how these are applied than to amend the existing byelaws.

RESOLVED: That Cllr Rob Appleyard, Paul Pearce (Parks Manager) and Shaine Lewis (Legal Services Team Leader) meet to discuss the application of the existing byelaws and to consider this issue at a future meeting.