Council believes:
1. Fireworks are a traditional way of celebrating key dates such as Guy Fawkes Night, New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali.
2. Public fireworks displays at such occasions can foster a great community spirit.
3. However, it is well known that fireworks can cause serious trauma to some people with autism, war veterans suffering PTSD, and pets/other animals.
4. Fireworks are often set off throughout the year, often just for the purpose of causing a nuisance, and are even thrown at emergency service personnel on occasion.
5. Hi tech alternatives to fireworks, e.g. drone displays or lasers, can be an even more spectacular way to mark special events.
6. That the creation of a new Office for Product Safety and Standards, which will support local authorities in reviewing and enforcing the current guidance materials on the safe and responsible use of fireworks, is a positive step.
Council resolves to:
1. To ask Cabinet to consider requiring all public firework displays within the local authority boundaries to be advertised in advance of the event, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people;
2. To ask Cabinet to consider actively promoting a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on vulnerable people and animal welfare – including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks;
3. To write to the UK Government urging them to introduce legislation to limit the maximum noise level of fireworks to 90dB for those sold to the public for private displays as per RSPCA guidance;
4. To back the RSPCA campaign to encourage suppliers of fireworks to stock ‘quieter’ fireworks for public display;
5. To promote alternatives to fireworks.
Minutes:
The following Motion was moved by Councillor Ali, and seconded by Councillor Wallis:
‘Council believes:
1. Fireworks are a traditional way of celebrating key dates such as Guy Fawkes Night, New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali.
2. Public fireworks displays at such occasions can foster a great community spirit.
3. However, it is well known that fireworks can cause serious trauma to some people with autism, war veterans suffering PTSD, and pets/other animals.
4. Fireworks are often set off throughout the year, often just for the purpose of causing a nuisance, and are even thrown at emergency service personnel on occasion.
5. Hi tech alternatives to fireworks, e.g. drone displays or lasers, can be an even more spectacular way to mark special events.
6. That the creation of a new Office for Product Safety and Standards, which will support local authorities in reviewing and enforcing the current guidance materials on the safe and responsible use of fireworks, is a positive step.
Council resolves to:
1. To ask Cabinet to consider requiring all public firework displays within the local authority boundaries to be advertised in advance of the event, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people;
2. To ask Cabinet to consider actively promoting a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on vulnerable people and animal welfare – including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks;
3. To write to the UK Government urging them to introduce legislation to limit the maximum noise level of fireworks to 90dB for those sold to the public for private displays as per RSPCA guidance;
4. To back the RSPCA campaign to encourage suppliers of fireworks to stock ‘quieter’ fireworks for public display;
5. To promote alternatives to fireworks.’
The following amendment to the Motion was moved by Councillor Dulston, and seconded by Councillor Tait:
‘(a) Delete the following from the ‘Council believes’ paragraphs:-
3. However, it is well known that fireworks can cause serious trauma to some people with autism, war veterans suffering PTSD, and pets/other animals.
4. Fireworks are often set off throughout the year, often just for the purpose of causing a nuisance, and are even thrown at emergency service personnel on occasion.
5. Hi tech alternatives to fireworks, e.g. drone displays or lasers, can be an even more spectacular way to mark special events.
6. That the creation of a new Office for Product Safety and Standards, which will support local authorities in reviewing and enforcing the current guidance materials on the safe and responsible use of fireworks, is a positive step.
(b) Delete the following from
the ‘Council resolves’ paragraphs :-
1. To ask Cabinet to consider requiring all public firework displays within the local authority boundaries to be advertised in advance of the event, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people.
2. To ask Cabinet to consider actively promoting a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on vulnerable people and animal welfare – including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks.
3. To write to the UK Government urging them to introduce legislation to limit the maximum noise level of fireworks to 90dB for those sold to the public for private displays as per RSPCA guidance.
4. To back the RSPCA campaign to encourage suppliers of fireworks to stock ‘quieter’ fireworks for public display.
5. To promote alternatives to fireworks.”
And replace with :-
1. To encourage all public firework displays within the local authority boundaries to be advertised in advance of the event, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people.
2. To run a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on vulnerable people and animal welfare – including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks.
3. Bring back the South Park Firework Display in 2022, as an organised and safe public firework display.’
Amendment Carried.
The Amendment then became the Substantive Motion and was put to the meeting and carried.