| Councillors are keen to give the forthcoming smoking legislation more bite by preventing certain seating areas outside pubs and cafes from becoming “nicotine dens”.
Members of the area’s infrastructure services committee supported a suggestion from Councillor Peter Nield that tables and chairs on pavements be no-smoking areas.
He wants this written into council rules when allowing businesses to use public footways for outdoor seating.
Council roads boss Ronnie McNeil said applications in Angus for pavement cafes and beer gardens on footways have been relatively low over the years.
However, he warned, “Due to the legislation banning smoking in enclosed public places, it can be anticipated that applications of this nature are likely to increase.
Councillor Joy Mowatt said, “I would be very much against it being approved if it was to be used as a smoking facility.”
Councillor Ian Angus highlighted the potential for non-smokers having to “fight their way through a fog of smoke” before getting into premises, as smokers huddle outside pubs.
The committee backed off from implementing the rule, pending advice from their legal department.
They did, however, sanction a recommendation that an annual charge of £100 be made for consent to place tables and chairs on pavements, to help pay for inspections and approval. |
