Did you know you can spit on the ceiling in Islington?
Looking through the local council by-laws still in force in Islington, I came across this one on spitting:
No person shall spit on the floor, side or wall of any public carriage, or of any public hall, public waiting room, or place of public entertainment.
Aside from the loophole which excludes ceilings from this ban, the by-law does raise two more serious issues. First, like many of the others that are still in force, it is out of date – in this case by limiting the maximum fine to 40 shillings. Second, the wording of the by-laws (which, remember, we’re all meant to obey) are hidden away. You do get some public signs reminding people of the by-laws which apply in a particular place, but by no means all places of public entertainment remind people of the spitting one, for example. They are not available online – which is also the case in many, though not all, other councils. Moreover, as with some other councils, the printed version is in such a fragile state that making electronic copies is a tricky business.
One reason for this state of affairs is that councils used to have to get the approval of the Secretary of State to create or abolish a by-law, meaning that councils tended just to ignore the state of their by-laws. One good thing Eric Pickles is doing, however, is to change that so that councils need only consult their own residents in future rather than him before making changes.
What if the spit subsequently dribbles onto the floor?
I feel sure there's an MEP or two who would suggest it should therefore become a matter for EU regulation… 🙂
Indeed, James. As the saying goes, and in the appropriate language of the time: "There's many a slip 'twixt cup and lip"!
Seriously though, Mark's blog, highlighting the antiquated state of the Islington bylaws, does graphically illustrate the sensible move by the Coalition Government to lift the requirement that Councils seek approval of the Secretary of State, to create and abolish by-laws, and leaves it instead to the wisdom of the local population.
"One good thing Eric Pickles is doing, however, is to change that so that councils need only consult their own residents in future rather than him before making changes."
Before making changes, or before making new laws?
I think the relaxations apply to the abolishing, amending and making new ones.
So any tin pot Tory Mayor can run a consultation about a by-law banning anything…?
Terry Gilbert Not quite – as there are restrictions on what by-laws can cover