Issue - meetings

It was moved by Councillor Grace, seconded by Councillor Byrom that:

Fireworks

Fireworks are used by people throughout the year to mark different events. While they can bring much enjoyment to some people, they can cause significant problems and fear for other people and animals. They can be a source of fear and distress for many animals (including pet animals, farm livestock and wildlife). Animals affected not only suffer psychological distress but can also cause themselves injuries - sometimes very serious ones - as they attempt to run away or hide from the noise.

This Council resolves:

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 actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people - 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;

4)             to encourage local suppliers of fireworks to stock ‘quieter’ fireworks for public display.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Morris, seconded by Councillor Brough that the Motion be amended by replacing the word public with private in resolution 4.

Following debate on the amendment the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer officiated a vote and the Mayor declared the amendment was lost by 48 votes to 12 and the Substantive Motion was carried unanimously, and it was:

RESOLVED:

(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 actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people - 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;

(4)      to encourage local suppliers of fireworks to stock ‘quieter’ fireworks for public display.