Resolved –

This Council notes:

Local residents are expressing serious concerns about nuisance fireworks blighting their lives and neighbourhoods.  Large fireworks celebrations now appear to be happening 365 days a year at all hours of the day and night with the loud noise causing distress to people across the district.

Fireworks can be used responsibly by sensible adults particularly at well-run public events at reasonable times of day, but all too often fireworks are let off at unsociable times and in an antisocial way.

The weeks around Bonfire Night in particular are costly for firefighters and emergency services colleagues and pose a risk to their safety. Antisocial behaviour and attacks against these professionals at any time of year are unacceptable, put lives at risk and divert resources from emergencies.

This Council requests Corporate Overview and Scrutiny committee to do a wholesale review within the next six months of the use of fireworks in our neighbourhoods.  Partners involved in the review should be the police, the fire service, trading standards and licensing.

In the meantime this Council:

·         Will work with police and other partners to review and build on prevention and enforcement activities, including a review of licensing requirements and other regulations around fireworks.

·         Urges everyone to act responsibly when using fireworks and to avoid causing nuisance to other residents, ideally by attending well-run public events, getting appropriate permissions and helping to educate young people about the dangers.

·         Calls on everyone to act respectfully towards the public servants who keep us safe at Bonfire Night and throughout the year.

·         Reiterates its support for the ‘Protect the Protectors’ campaign and will continue to support safety and awareness campaigns to promote the tougher sentences arising from the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act.

ACTION:       Strategic Director Place/ Governance, Scrutiny and Members Support Manager