Havering Open Spaces Byelaws Consultation

Overview

The Council is responsible for public parks, open spaces, and gardens in the Borough. On the whole, the way people behave in these places is currently covered by byelaws, which aim to ensure that everyone is able to use the spaces and without causing any problems for other users.

The Council’s Byelaws were last updated in 1983, but as they were based on the Victorian model we need to change them to make them more up-to-date and in keeping with how our more modern park users like to utilise these spaces.  Please see our Related Documents section for our existing Pleasure Ground Byelaws.  Over time the way people use our parks has changed along with what people want from our parks.  In addition, the fines which may be charged in serious cases of a breach are now not enough to stop people.  As part of the Council’s work to improve and protect our parks and spaces we are now in the process of updating them.

Our proposed updated Byelaws, which are based upon wording published by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC), also ensures that they are easier for park users to understand.  Updated draft Byelaws have been produced using the DLUHC Model which the Council are intending to adopt within the next year. 

Some of the proposed model Byelaws have been changed to make them relevant for Havering. These changes include clauses on responsible cycling, events and activities and temporary accommodation.   The schedule of sites will also be updated to include spaces left out of the existing Byelaws. 

We would therefore like your views on our proposed amended clauses which will then inform the final version of the Byelaws.

Why your views matter

We really value your feedback in this review, even if you do not currently use parks and open spaces, we still want your views. Please take the time to complete this survey. It should take around ten minutes of your time.