Calderdale Council backs restrictions on 'excessively loud' fireworks
Councillors also agreed the Government should be urged to consider further restrictions on the private sale of fireworks as part of future reform.
Councillors have backed moves to restrict the sale of excessively loud fireworks and are also urging the Government to consider further restrictions on their sale.
Cross-party, the full Calderdale Council supported Coun Ashley Evans’ motion urging the authority to respond to the Government consultation on restricting sale of “excessively loud” fireworks.
Councillors also agreed the Government should be urged to consider further restrictions on the private sale of fireworks as part of future reform.
That includes supporting a phased move towards ending over-the-counter sale of fireworks to the general public while protecting organised, licensed displays to continue, they said, agreeing to express this view to the Secretary of State.
But it is important to promote the consultation to local organisations and partner groups, including faith, cultural and minority groups, local mental health charities, local animal welfare charities and service veterans’ groups, they agreed.
Investigating how the council can promote and support public fireworks displays to celebrate the cultural diversity of the district and bring residents together should also be part of the process.
That also takes in exploring opportunities for quieter fireworks displays, low-noise pyrotechnics and alternative tech such as drone or light displays at council-supported events, they agreed.
Councillors also agreed to review outcomes from the authority’s Fireworks Action Plan with a view to extending its operation from, traditional Bonfire period to other times of year, including summer.
Coun Evans (Lib Dem, Warley) said: “I am sure we are all aware of fireworks issues, there are increasing problems – like other issues what and where make it difficult to tell.
“But clear laws relating to firework use are flouted and ignored,” he said.
Coun Evans said getting away with that encouraged people to flout other laws too.
It was important to recognise that actions were being taken, including the Government consultation.
Awareness of this needed to be raised including among community groups, said Coun Evans, whose motion noted that people should be able to enjoy cultural, religious and community celebrations involving fireworks, but remains concerned that “certain fireworks, freely available to the public, are needlessly loud and anti-social.”
What we need is effective communication
Initially a Labour amendment was considered and rejected for incorporation into the motion but after presenting the case, it’s elements were eventually adopted without need for a vote on the amendment.
Coun Dave Mendes Da Costa (Lab, Wainhouse) said it did not remove any of the original motion but sought to build on it, putting additional focus on local action the council could undertake.
“I have seen them set off illegally at night and in the early hours.
“People are being woken up when it’s school the next day.
“Residents write to me about this all the time.
“But there’s more needs to be done that we as a council can do,” he said.
The motions gained support from all political groups across the chamber.
Halifax MP Kate Dearden is the Government junior minister leading the proposed reforms and consultation on fireworks.