Decision details

Executive considered a detailed report presented by Councillor Nick Clarke, Chair of Climate Change and Communities Scrutiny Committee, in relation to the Committee’s review of Council policy on sky lanterns and helium balloons.

The aim of the review was to assess the local impact of Sky Lanterns and Helium Balloons and review local Council policy.

The objectives agreed by the Committee were to assess national campaigns and neighbouring authorities, and consider replicating a similar charter/policy for BDC, and to assess the scale of the local environmental impact via consultation with both residents and local agencies/groups.  The key issues identified for investigation were detailed in the report.

The key findings arising from the review were that there was limited additional impact the Council could have at a local level due to current national legislation, however, designating restrictions on use on Council land would bring the Council in line with over 50% of English councils.

To ensure service delivery remained efficient and effective across the board, Committee’s advice was that the Council aligned its approach with that of neighbouring authorities as this would allow officers in the joint Environmental Health Service to take a proportionate and appropriate approach to enforcement and advice/guidance, within the Fire Service area.

Scrutiny Committee had put together five recommendations which were detailed in the review report.

Executive supported all five recommendations and the Portfolio Holder for Environmental Health & Licensing agreed to write to the relevant Minister to lobby for change to national legislation in line with the national campaign.

Moved by Councillor Duncan McGregor and seconded by Councillor Clive Moesby

RESOLVED that (1) the recommendations of the review as outlined in section 2 of the review report be endorsed,

            (2) monitoring by Committee takes place over a twelve month period via the PERFORM system with an update report to Committee at the end of the monitoring period.

(Scrutiny & Elections Officer)

Reasons for Recommendation

The Committee had put together five recommendations which would hopefully assist the Council in limiting the impact of local use of sky lanterns and helium balloons.

Alternative Options and Reasons for Rejection

While the number of contacts over recent years had been limited, Members felt that further action could be taken to bring the approach of BDC in line with that taken at neighbouring authorities.  This should enable a more streamlined service and create efficiencies for the team.  As such a ‘do nothing’ option was discounted.

Executive could choose not to endorse the recommendations of the review, where they felt the course of action recommended was beyond the delivery capacity of the Authority.