Playing golf, drinking alcohol when told to stop, having barbecues and throwing stones are among a raft of activities banned along the Sefton coast last night.
At a meeting of Sefton ’s full council at Southport town hall yesterday (July 14) a public space protection order was approved covering the entire Sefton coast as well as four of the borough’s town centres at Bootle, Crosby and Waterloo, Formby and Southport.
The proposal had previously been subject to consultation by the public and been approved through the council ’s licensing committee before being brought to full council.
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A ban relating to alcohol is not, according to the report, designed to be a full ban, but only for when people have been told to stop drinking or if drinking is being done in an “anti social" manner. The order requires that people in the designated areas hand over any alcohol in their possession when asked to do so.
Other measures in the lengthy order include a ban on playing golf, large gatherings, releasing balloons, fireworks or lanterns, holding certain events, staying in tents and caravans without written permission and “climbing on structures such as Southport pier.”
Rules around safe cycling, dog free zones and a ban on swimming in non designated areas also form part of the order.
Among the rules are a ban on inhaling psychoactive substances, bringing in pressurised containers (such as nitrous oxide cannisters) and carrying weapons.
One condition refers to a ban on throwing objects such as stones and pebbles which “may cause alarm or distress.” Other rules relate to pollution, horse riding, use of aircraft and power boats.
Rules around flying powered kites in non designated areas are also included.
During the discussion at last night's full council meeting, cabinet member Cllr Paulette Lappin said the order was aimed at "protecting the borough's coasts and town centres."
Independent Cllr David Irving asked whether local shops could be asked to stop selling barbecues, which he described as a "tinderbox."
In response, Cllr Lappin said that a ban on barbecues was already included in the protection order but "the ability of the council to influence the private sector is minimal" although advice could be given.
Liberal democrat councillor John Shaw proposed an amendment to one of the conditions relating to the throwing of stones. He said: "It may sound pedantic but can I just ask that the brackets are removed" around the items that are banned from being thrown, a request agreed by Cllr Lappin.
The protection order, which affects the entirety of the Sefton coast, Southport and Ainsdale beaches as well as the four town centres and was then approved by full council without further debate and can now come into effect.
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