Members of the Isle of Wight council (IWC) Executive last week reversed the decision made at their August meeting to refuse a recommended change to the Dogs on Leads Order for St Helens beach.
The proposed amendment to the Dogs on Leads Order would require dogs to be kept on leads whilst on the promenade and beach at the Duver in St Helen’s.
The decision was subject to a call-in, led by chair of the Scrutiny Committee, Cllr Geoff Lumley (Lab) and heard on 28th August (minutes embedded below).
The Scrutiny Committee considers that without adherence to formal consultation time periods and outcomes the Council’s reputation will be entirely undermined and perhaps raise legal risks.
The Scrutiny Committee had argued that St Helens beach belongs to all the people of the Island and therefore the wider views of people outside of St Helens should have been taken into account.
Voting with their hearts
Cllr Hillard (Ind) presented the paper (minutes embedded below) reminding members the IWC had received representations from St Helens Parish Council, who reported issues with dogs on the beach, concerned about the danger to children and families asking IWC to carry out a consultation with a view to making an amendment to the Order, forcing dogs to be on leads between certain times of the year.
She went on to say that at the August meeting, members voted with their hearts and their conscience when rejecting the recommendation to refuse the amendment to enforce dogs on beaches requiring leads.
The vote
If you’ve managed to follow the double negatives this far, well done.
At last week’s meeting seven Executive members voted in favour of reversing their previous decision. Cllrs Bacon and Kendall voted against the recommendation.
The official record of the vote was:
I. THAT the outcome of the formal consultation on the Order be respected.
II. THAT the amendment of the Executive Decision 59 (14/15)as recorded in the draft Minutes by removing the words “therefore an amendment should be made,” be agreed.
III. THAT the Amendment Order at St Helens Duver will not be implemented.
