Solicitors involved in St Ives dog ban row
ST IVES Town Council has said it will refute the criticisms levelled at it by campaigners planning to apply for a judicial review of the 24-hour summertime ban of dogs on beaches.
St Ives Dog Owners' Group (DOG) argue that the existing summer ban – that lets them on to the beach with their pets in the early mornings and evenings – is a good compromise.
They have sent a letter of intent to apply for a judicial review of the new orders to the town council which will see dogs barred from Porthmeor, Porthminster and Porthgwidden beaches for the summer months.
They say the authority has not given enough consideration to disabled access to beaches for dog-owners or explained how the new orders will be enforced.
Buy one get one free on main course and specials. Equal prise meal or cheapest free
Terms:
Mon-fri 12-2pm
Wed & Thur 6-9pm
Contact: 01209 700617
Valid until: Friday, May 24 2013
Last week St Ives Town Council acknowledged it had received the letter of intent from DOG and said it was seeking legal advice.
Now mayor Ron Tulley has confirmed a reply was due to go out in the next few days which will refute DOG's criticisms.
Mr Tulley said: "We are seeking legal advice.
"We have to reply within a fortnight and we are on the verge of doing that.
Sufficient
"The letter is now being worded by our solicitors, they are working on it.
"There are two things they've raised. One is we've not made sufficient provision for people with disabilities [who want to walk their dogs on the beach]. The second is that we have not made sufficient provision for enforcement of the orders. We obviously refute both of those."
In a separate issue St Ives have had to hold off making the new dog bans official until Cornwall Council have withdrawn their own dog control orders – which outline the current summer rules.
Mr Tulley said: "Our orders can only go into place once Cornwall Council has rescinded their orders. We are waiting for Cornwall Council to formally rescind their orders so we can put them into place.
"They are working on it. They've given no precise date."
Barbara Nolan from DOG said: "We have not had the reply yet and we need to wait to see what the letter says when it comes back. Then we have to be guided by our solicitors."
St Ives Dog Owners' Group have a website at www.stivesdogownersgroup.org and a Facebook page called Life's A Beach and on Twitter @StIveslovesdogs. Pro-ban campaigners have now also launched a Facebook page called Love St Ives' Clean Beaches. The town council's papers can be seen at www.stivestowncouncil.co.uk/html/24_10_dogs.html
9 Comments
by StIvesregular
Thursday, February 21 2013, 9:13PM
“Usual arrogance from Hake4life”
by hake4life
Thursday, February 21 2013, 8:26PM
“Alternative viewpoints are available: https://http://tinyurl.com/as7yomv”
by StIvesregular
Thursday, February 21 2013, 7:44PM
“Gruesome forgive me isn't that the responsibility of the council to enforce existing legislation rather than spending their limited resources fighting to introduce a new bylaw they can't afford to police and that will scare away visitors!”
by gruesome
Thursday, February 21 2013, 5:40PM
“Please DOG use some of your energies to find the culprits who are letting their dogs mess all over town and not clearing up. It's disgusting.”
by PennyBunn
Thursday, February 21 2013, 4:56PM
“Well - good luck to DOG and all the campaigners. You have a lot of support from what are now FORMER holidaymakers to Cornwall, from right across the country, and I am sure we all wish you the very best for a victory in the courts. I encourage anyone else who hates corruption and demands fair play and democracy to send a donation to help fund the case against the Council. And do join the Facebook campaign, to show your support in other ways for the fantastic stance campaigners are making against this super-arrogant and corrupt council and the friends they chose to favour.
I do hope that come election time, residents will vote these councillors out of power. I'm sure a lot of holidaymakers will be voting with their feet and choosing alternative destinations that will welcome their custom... and their doggies!”
by StIvesregular
Thursday, February 21 2013, 11:42AM
“i completely agree - come election time some of the sitting councillors may be finding themselves out of a job. They are there to represent the public and the best interests of the town that is a democracy. It looks as if a number of councillors have forgotten that and are prepared instead to spend thousands defending the indefensible.
Make sure you follow the campaign against the orders http://tinyurl.com/bbdu96b”
by blutone
Thursday, February 21 2013, 11:35AM
“they are sticking their heads in the sand, they do not like it because people have taken them on, there is nothing wrong with the status quo,leave well alone or be voted out of office!!”
by Cally71
Thursday, February 21 2013, 11:09AM
“So Porthminster beach has been voted the top 3rd best beach in Britain ? and this is before the ban.... infact the most recent quote from a visitor classed it as 'Doggie Heaven' ......Trip advisor is a major influence on tourism the town council really need to rethink the whole thing, leave the rules as they are and enforce the laws ! they are not only shunning tourists but locals alike ! cery short sighted of them :(”
by Cally71
Thursday, February 21 2013, 11:06AM
“So Porthminster beach has been voted the top 3rd best beach in Britain ? and this is before the ban.... infact the most recent quote from a visitor classed it as 'Doggie Heaven' ......Trip advisor is a major influence on tourism the town council really need to rethink the whole thing, leave the rules as they are and enforce the laws ! they are not only shunning tourists but locals alike ! cery short sighted of them :(”