Submission 82

Constitutional Reform Commission

c/o Director General - Governance
2nd Floor E. Humphrey Walcott Building Corner of Culloden Road and Collymore Rock St. Michael, Barbados

Dear Sir,

DISCUSSION DRAFT OF THE CHARTER OF BARBADOS

In the Chapter relating to RESPECT, I would propose some inclusion of words relating to the control of NUISANCE in the lives of Barbadian citizens. The closer bound we are to each other in Barbadian neighbourhoods, the greater will be the effect of a disregard for the peaceful enjoyment of our homes.

Usually for a nuisance to exist it would unreasonably and substantially interfere with the enjoyment of a home or other premises, and injure health or be likely to injure health.

Instances of Nuisance in Barbados are furthermore the cause for IMPATIENCE between citizens and perhaps even to a disregard for the “spirit of tolerance, respect and acceptance”.

In Barbados we are not alone to the effects of Nuisance, but in order to rebuild what was once a society of caring residents, and perhaps create an ideal for others to follow we must somehow try to address the following by incorporating an agreement that guarantees relief for citizens that are daily punished by the following:

• Smoke, fumes or gases: emitted from premises, or from a vehicle, machinery or equipment or outdoor cooking activities;

• Dust: from industrial, construction sites or business premises;

• Noise: coming from premises, or from a vehicle, machinery or equipment

  operated in the street;

• Light: from badly adjusted security lights or floodlights;

• Insects: swarming from any unkempt industrial, business or residential premises;

• The physical state of any premises: to be in such a deconstruction or overgrowth as to be prejudicial to health or community standards;

• Accumulations: anything which could cause a nuisance or present a health risk for humans. Examples are an accumulation of rotting food, waste, discarded furnishings and vehicle bodies;

• Liquid discharges on the street: allowing or causing water or any liquid to be released onto the street (including urine and saliva).