A proposal for a sensible approach to fireworks in the Cumberland Council area has been defeated.
Councillor Chris Wills (Upperby, Lib Dems) proposed a motion on the subject, seconded by councillor Roger Dobson (Corby and Hayton, Lib Dems), at Tuesday’s meeting of the full council at the Civic Centre in Carlisle.
Their motion asked the council to note that:
- The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) says the law is failing. It does not prevent or sufficiently reduce the risk of fireworks causing distress, injury or anxiety to people, as well as death, injury or distress to animals;
- Further research is needed to properly understand the impact of noise on animals and people. In the meantime, several things can be done to improve the situation for wildlife and people at risk of being affected by firework explosions;
- The law states that it is illegal to sell adult fireworks to anyone under 18 and that by applying the same Challenge 25 legislation to fireworks as there is with alcohol will ensure that fewer young people will be injured by fireworks;
- Review of licensing all public firework displays is needed, ensuring displays are better advertised to the public informing of noise levels and how it may affect people and animals.
During the debate Cllr Wills said that Bonfire Night used to be a single event but it had morphed into Bonfire month and added: “We do have a choice we can choose to protect our animals.”
Councillor Bob Kelly (Millom, Labour), the Cumberland policy and regulatory services portfolio holder, said that he had sympathy to the proposal and added: “I think it’s a delicate balance – animals suffer and some humans suffer.”
He said he felt that introducing firework bans on whole areas was overkill and he agreed that they needed to clampdown on the sale of fireworks to those who were underage.
Councillor Brian Wernham (Stanwix Urban, Lib Dems) said he feared that as well as fireworks affecting pets and domesticated animals, wild animals were also being driven away. He added: “It’s not doing our wildlife any good.”
Councillor Roger Dobson (Corby and Hayton, Lib Dems) said: “The situation has got out of control over the years.”
Councillor Gillian Troughton (Howgate, Labour) said that Challenge 25 was already the law and any suspected underage sales should be reported to the appropriate authorities.
Cllr Wills said: “I have definitely seen the sale of fireworks to people who definitely look under 18.”
However, Councillor Helen Davison (Belah, Green Party) said she was surprised there was little support from the ruling Labour group for the motion and it was the right and proper thing to do. She added: “As people we have a choice, an animal doesn’t have that choice.”
Councillor John Mallinson (Houghton and Irthington, Conservative) said there needed to be the maximum amount of enjoyment derived from public displays and he agreed with the controlled use of fireworks.
Councillor Justin McDermott (Harraby North, Labour) said that people needed to be encouraged to attend organised public displays.
Councillors Wills and Dobson were hoping the council would resolve to:
- Lobby the government to follow the example of the Scottish Government and give local councils powers to introduce controlled times and zones when fireworks cannot be set off unless part of a licensed firework display, with information about the event provided in the local area several weeks in advance to allow residents to take precautions for people in their care and pets;
- 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;
- Encourage local suppliers of fireworks to separate quieter fireworks from the loud ones so people can choose which ones they prefer with animal and people safety in mind. Provide large labels to sticker the products with green for quiet, red for loud;
- Applying Challenge 25 legislation to the sale of fireworks in the Cumberland Council area. Challenge 25 is a scheme that encourages anyone who is over 18 but looks under 25 to carry acceptable ID when they want to buy alcohol. With the danger that fireworks carry, the same policy should be applied for people who want to possess fireworks.
However, when the matter was put to the vote, 29 members were against the motion, eight were in favour and there was one abstention and it was defeated.
