Town council continues to consult members of the public before bringing in new rules.

Dartmouth Town Council is creating new bylaws since the council took over control of parks, public toilets and open spaces from South Hams District Council.

There will be consultation meetings this Tuesday, August 21, from 10am to 11am and in the evening at 7pm.

In addition, a consultation meeting will also take place on Thursday, August 23, at 6pm. These will be held in the Clifton Room in the Guildhall, Dartmouth.

At previous meetings, busking continued to be a contentious issue in the town.

The consultation into new bylaws in Dartmouth continued last week. Cllr David Gent held the second meeting of the consultation attended by representatives of groups from across the town and members of the public in the Guildhall, Dartmouth.

Again, on Tuesday, August 14, the topic of the buskers who play in the Royal Avenue gardens during the summer was raised, as it was at the meeting the week before.

The model bylaw suggested by Cllr Gent based on local government guidelines could mean no person, after being requested to desist by any other person, be allowed to make a noise that is so loud to give reasonable cause for annoyance. This referred to shouting, singing, playing a musical instrument or operating or permitting to be operated a radio amplifier or tape recorder or similar device.

Cllr Gent said the law meant people were welcome to busk but without the use of an amplifier.

Attendees debated the issue. Among those speaking out in support of the buskers, was Karen Perrow from Dartmouth Visitor Centre, claiming the musicians added to the street scene and said visitors enjoyed listening to the music.

Others including Teddy Cranmer said the music was too loud and could be heard across the water, at the top of town and even in Kingswear and thusly felt busking should not be allowed in the gardens.

Those opposed to busking said it could sometimes clash with organised entertainment in the gardens and said those wanting to sit in and around the gardens had no choice but to listen to it.

A vote was taken with three voting in favour of allowing busking and four voting against.

Among the discussion, the issue of enforcement was raised. Cllr Gent said his idea was to empower council staff with the ability to enforce the bylaws.

As like last week’s meeting, the discussion included whether to allow people on the grass, whether dogs should be kept on leads and pedlars.

There will be consultation meetings throughout the rest of the month every Tuesday from 10am-11am and perhaps an evening session, to be finalised later.

Cllr Gent said once the consultation period was complete the draft would go to full council in September where councillors will also be asked to vote on contentious subjects such as busking.

If passed, the draft and the consultation report would then be given to the Secretary of State. Then if this stage was successful, the town council could formally adopt the bylaws in November.