Issue - meetings

Notice of Motion - Cllr A-M Barker - Fireworks

Meeting: 30/07/2020 - Council (Item 9)

Notice of Motion - Cllr A-M Barker - Fireworks.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council had before it the recommendation of the Executive in respect of a notice of motion first submitted by Councillor Barker to Council at its meeting on 13 February 2020.  The notice of motion stated that:

“A number of councillors have been contacted by residents in relation to the RSPCA initiative to reduce the impact of fireworks and Sky Lanterns on animals, and have asked their Council to support a motion to support measures which will help ensure people can enjoy fireworks responsibly whilst minimising the risk to animal welfare, horses, farm animals and wildlife and residents.

Woking Council can play its part in this by direct action or by lobbying other Government departments and retailers to play their part.  Accordingly, the Council resolves to:

o      Request all publicly organised firework displays within the Woking area to be advertised on the Woking Council website in advance of the event, so that everyone can enjoy the celebrations and residents are able to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people.

o      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.

o      Write to the UK Government urging them to introduce legislation to limit the maximum noise level of fireworks to 90dB for those sold to the public for private display.

o      Encourage trading standards to enforce more rigorously the regulations of the selling of fireworks both in terms of age appropriateness, licencing and CE markings.”

The Executive had been supportive of the Motion, having noted the effect of fireworks on animal welfare, horses, farm animals and wildlife and residents.  The recommendation of the Executive was welcomed by Councillor Barker.

RESOLVED

That the Motion be supported.


Meeting: 22/06/2020 - Executive (Item 6)

6 Notice of Motion - Cllr A-M Barker - Fireworks EXE20-024 pdf icon PDF 70 KB

Reporting Person – Corporate Management Group

Additional documents:

Minutes:

At its meeting on 13 February 2020, the Council referred the following Notice of Motion to the Executive.

 

Councillor A-M Barker

 

“A number of councillors have been contacted by residents in relation to the RSPCA initiative to reduce the impact of fireworks and Sky Lanterns on animals, and have asked their Council to support a motion to support measures which will help ensure people can enjoy fireworks responsibly whilst minimising the risk to animal welfare, horses, farm animals and wildlife and residents.

Woking Council can play its part in this by direct action or by lobbying other Government departments and retailers to play their part.  Accordingly, the Council resolves to:

o      Request all publicly organised firework displays within the Woking area to be advertised on the Woking Council website in advance of the event, so that everyone can enjoy the celebrations and residents are able to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people.

o      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.

o      Write to the UK Government urging them to introduce legislation to limit the maximum noise level of fireworks to 90dB for those sold to the public for private display.

o      Encourage trading standards to enforce more rigorously the regulations of the selling of fireworks both in terms of age appropriateness, licencing and CE markings.”

Councillor Barker attended the meeting and spoke in support of the Motion.  Councillor Barker advised that the intention was to ensure that organisers of public firework displays notified the Council in order for the displays to be advertised on the Council’s website.  Such notification on the Council’s website in advance of the event would allow residents to be made aware and able to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people.  Councillor Barker drew attention to the Officer Comment, which referred to publishing on the Council website firework displays on Council owned land, and highlighted the number of displays organised by schools.  The Executive was supportive of the Motion, noting the effect of fireworks on animal welfare, horses, farm animals and wildlife and residents.

RECOMMENDED to Council

That the Motion be supported.


Meeting: 26/03/2020 - Executive (Item 6.)

6. Notice of Motion - Cllr A-M Barker - Fireworks EXE20-024 pdf icon PDF 71 KB

Reporting Person – Corporate Management Group

Additional documents: