November 24, 2022
12:03
The use of barbecues and the preparation of winter food outdoors is prohibited in Pleven. This has become a fact after, in today’s session, the City Council supported the proposed amendments to Ordinance 1 on matters of public order and the protection of municipal and non-commonly used assets in the Municipality’s territory. The proposal was the first item on the agenda and was adopted after a debate with 28 votes in favor, two against and ten abstentions.
During the discussion, Svilen Atanasov, chairman of the “BSP for Bulgaria” group, raised the question of monitoring compliance with both this ban and others such as the circulation of electric scooters in some areas of the city and trolleys.
In response, Mayor Georg Spartanski stressed that it is the City Council’s right to regulate public relations with mandatory rules of a statutory nature, and there are specialized institutions – the police and the municipal inspectorate – which have to carry out the control. He added that he has nothing against traditional winter meat preparation, but this should be done in compliance with the relevant rules and requirements. According to him, it is not appropriate in the 21st century to “light fires, cook compotes, sweets, smoke the neighbors’ terraces with the soot from the smoke that spreads in the interstices between the blocks”.
“The civilized way is to introduce sanctions against those who think public spaces are for personal use,” Spartanski commented.
City councilor Gennady Todorov from the group “BSP for Bulgaria” stressed that it is necessary to think about reserving places for organizing barbecues in city districts, as is the practice in other countries.
With today’s amendment to Ordinance 1, the preparation of food for direct or winter consumption using technical devices (grills, barbecues, etc.), as well as the use of wood or coal fires, in open interlocking spaces is prohibited , streets, parks, gardens and other public places. The ban does not apply to places expressly designated for this purpose, which are currently only located in “Kailaka” park.
Penalties for violators will range from BGN 100 to BGN 500. The ordinance enters into force seven days after its publication on the City Council-Pleven website.
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