To be moved by Councillor Jeanette Sunderland

Seconded by Councillor Brendan Stubbs

This Council notes:

·         That firework displays are common throughout the world and are the focal point of many cultural and religious celebrations.

·         The rising number of complaints about all year round noise nuisance from fireworks.

·         The impact loud bangs have on some people with mental ill health, some people who are anxious about loud noises, some people with a disability for whom loud noises can be extremely disturbing and those people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

·         The distress suffered by many household pets and wild animals because of the use of fireworks.

·         Increasing public health concerns surrounding the use of fireworks

This Council believes that everyone has a right to enjoy firework displays. This Council also believes that this should not be at the expense of the amenity of others and notes the work done by the people of Collecchio in the province of Parma in Italy to introduce legislation to reduce acoustic stress.

This Council believes that with the increasing availability of quieter fireworks which can create “quieter” or “low noise” or “silent” displays which reduce the noise nuisance and impact on others, it is time for the Council to investigate the creation of more peaceful firework displays that can be enjoyed by all.

This Council therefore instructs the Chief Executive to :

·         Investigate making available quieter or low noise firework displays in public parks available to the public without charge.

·         Investigate the passing of a by-law to prohibit the use of noisy fireworks in the District.

·         Investigate how the Council can use public displays of low noise fireworks to celebrate the cultural diversity of the district and support its bid to be the City of Culture 2025.

Motion defeated.

The motion moved by Councillor Jeanette Sunderland was defeated.