Previous reference: Minute 39 (2021/22)

In response to continuing fears around fireworks a comprehensive review of the use of fireworks in the district’s neighbourhoods was undertaken by the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The report made several recommendations to tackle some of issues regarding firework nuisance.

The report of the Chair of District Community Safety Partnership, “Document “AC” provides a summary of the key actions and partnership responses to the recommendations of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Firework Review.

(Michael Churley – 01274 431364)

In response to continuing fears around fireworks a comprehensive review of the use of fireworks in the district’s neighbourhoods was undertaken by the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The report made several recommendations to tackle some of issues regarding firework nuisance.

The report of the Chair of District Community Safety Partnership, “Document “AC” provided a summary of the key actions and partnership responses to the recommendations of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Firework Review.

Members were aware the rationale for that review had been continuing fears around fireworks in the district.

The report of the Chair of District Community Safety Partnership, “Document “AC” provided a summary of the key actions and partnership responses arising from that review.

Following a detailed presentation, the Chair acknowledged that there were clear limitations on the powers of local authorities and that residents should be made aware that the Government must do more to address their concerns.

A Member referred to the response from Jane Hunt MP, the then Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Labour Markets to a letter from MPs urging the Government, to take action on fireworks as insulting.  It was felt that none of the points raised had been addressed. 

The work undertaken to mitigate the problems occurring was recognised but problems were continuing and it was suggested that venues hosting functions may need reminding of their responsibility to their neighbours and to understand the conditions of their licences. 

It was suggested that there were still issues with many category F4 fireworks being used in the district and it was questioned how people were obtaining those products.  It was reported that F4 category fireworks could only be purchased with a specific licence.  The Safer Communities Delivery Co-ordinator explained that he had tried to make test purchases of those goods and had been unable and it was felt that the fireworks were not being obtained from reputable premises.

It was reported that the Government had stated it would keep the decibel limits under review but the law was not about to change.  Laws in Scotland had been amended and fireworks could only be lit between 1800 – 2300 hours.   The amount which could be purchased at any one time had also been restricted to 5kg and fireworks were only on sale between 0700 to 1800 hours.  

A Member expressed a view that there should be ‘no firework zones’ and referred to firework issues being a problem throughout the year and at all times of day.  He was concerned that the review had revealed that the authority was restricted in what they could do to tackle the issue.  He referred to the police response that they did not have the resources to deal with all the issues and felt until the Government took action or gave more resources to the police the problems would continue.

The Safer Communities Delivery Co-ordinator reported that residents had asked for support to appeal to people’s better natures and raise awareness of the nuisance being caused.  In response to suggestions that entertainment venues be contacted it was stated that a lot of offences were not taking place at venues but either outside of them or after celebrations in residential areas.  It was agreed that they could be contacted to ask them to attempt to influence customer behaviour. 

It was questioned if existing enforcement services could be better utilised and it was explained that some additional resources had been made available to recruit Environmental Health Officers.  Members were advised that despite this the legislation was very difficult to enforce.  An Environmental Health Manager reported difficulty in identifying the perpetrators and explained that if you did not get to the exact location to witness the identity of the perpetrator lighting the fireworks there was very little that could be done. As it was very rarely known where fireworks would be set off in advance, identification was almost impossible. 

It was questioned if more official fireworks display were being organised whilst acknowledging that these were probably not causing issues.  It was explained that the Council did not run public displays but acknowledged that public sector displays would be less problematic than random setting off of fireworks at all hours of the day.  A recent laser display conducted over the firework period had attracted people into the city centre.  The possibility of drone displays was also acknowledged. 

A Member expressed his view that official firework displays would not reduce the number of firework incidents in the district and referred to his own experience when his family had been younger and they had attended both organised and private events. 

A Member expressed frustration at the thought that there was nothing that could be done about the nuisance caused by fireworks. In response the Safer Communities Delivery Co-ordinator reported a number of actions undertaken including work with residents; youth diversionary work; targeted enforcement efforts; focusses on hot spot areas and partnership work undertaken between West Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Council. 

The Chair acknowledged the mammoth multi-agency efforts undertaken around the bonfire night period but referred to all year round problems occurring.  In response it was agreed to discuss those issues at the next partnership meeting in an attempt to reduce the year round problems occurring across the city.

In addition, it was agreed to continue to lobby Government and MPs to address the issues and to seek support from the Local Government Association and other agencies. 

Resolved –

(1)  This Committee requests that a report be presented in September 2023, which sets out the approaches being used to address the anti-social use of fireworks and the effectiveness of those approaches.

(2)  This Committee requests that the Executive continues to lobby the Districts MP’s and Local Government Association Partners, in relation to addressing the anti-social use of Fireworks.

(3)  That the Leader of Council, continues to write to the Districts MP’s to:

§  Reduce the noise levels of all categories of fireworks;

§  Stop the sale of the more powerful fireworks, such as category 3 and 4;

§  For individuals who sell fireworks to have a licence, which demonstrates that they are a fit and proper person to be able to sell fireworks.

ACTION:  Interim Strategic Director of Place