Decision details

It was moved by Councillor Irving, seconded by Councillor Bennett:

I ask that this Council support this motion in writing to the Government in the hope that they take the initiative in bringing legislation forward for a national ban on the sale of disposable barbecues throughout England.

Background

Disposable barbecues have been cited as the main cause of many fires by Senior Fire Officers in England this year, in which over 500 areas of outstanding natural beauty have been severely damaged by fire. Urgent action is needed now to see a national ban on the sale of disposable barbecues which can be bought for as little as £5.00 and cause untold damage, especially when the grass is as dry as it has been over the last few months. Sefton Council in their wisdom banned the use of Barbecues in our area in 2021 and continued their ban on them this year. Large brightly painted banners have been displayed at the entrances to Formby’s Special Area of Conservation which is the jewel in the crown for Sefton’s Environment attraction. The signs which state No Barbecues or Fires have been ignored repeatedly by visitors and the area has suffered a serious grass fire. You only have to walk around the Dunes to see the remnants of the used barbecues left behind. Should this situation be ignored I fear that we could suffer a serious environmental disaster to our area.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Byrom, seconded by Grace that:

The first paragraph of the motion be retained; the remaining text in the motion be deleted and the following text be added:

“This Council?supports national Fire Service and LGA campaigns seeking primary legislation to ban disposable BBQ’s.

Limited restrictions will not stop them being used or brought into these spaces. This also does nothing to counter the damage they do outside these areas. We are calling for an outright ban on their use and sale in the UK.

Whether it is massive environmental damage, life changing injuries & deaths, food poisoning or single use waste that comes with disposable BBQ’s, there are simply too many issues, risks and dangers when buying and using them.

It’s not enough to stop their sale ‘near’ beaches or moorland.?

It’s not enough to dismiss the countless problems and blame people for being ‘irresponsible’.?

Disposable BBQ’s themselves carry too many risks and our call is for them to be banned completely.?

With growing fuel poverty, these dangerous products could be used by people desperate to heat their homes and these products should be banned from retail, wholesale, and online sales with an accompanying information campaign to help people understand how dangerous they can be.”

Following a debate on the amendment the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer officiated a vote and the Mayor declared that the amendment was carried unanimously.

Following a debate on the Substantive Motion the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer officiated a vote and the Mayor declared that the Substantive Motion was carried unanimously, and it was:

RESOLVED:

That this Council supports this motion in writing to the Government in the hope that they take the initiative in bringing legislation forward for a national ban on the sale of disposable barbecues throughout England.

This Council?supports national Fire Service and LGA campaigns seeking primary legislation to ban disposable BBQ’s.

Limited restrictions will not stop them being used or brought into these spaces. This also does nothing to counter the damage they do outside these areas. We are calling for an outright ban on their use and sale in the UK.

Whether it is massive environmental damage, life changing injuries & deaths, food poisoning or single use waste that comes with disposable BBQ’s, there are simply too many issues, risks and dangers when buying and using them.

It’s not enough to stop their sale ‘near’ beaches or moorland.?

It’s not enough to dismiss the countless problems and blame people for being ‘irresponsible’.?

Disposable BBQ’s themselves carry too many risks and our call is for them to be banned completely.?

With growing fuel poverty, these dangerous products could be used by people desperate to heat their homes and these products should be banned from retail, wholesale, and online sales with an accompanying information campaign to help people understand how dangerous they can be.