Review of Council's Policy on Fireworks
Verbal update.
Minutes:
The Environmental Health Manager – Commercial & Environment gave a verbal update relating to the Committee’s ongoing Fireworks scrutiny review. He stated that in response to requests made by Members at the meeting on 3rd August 2021 (where the review began) he would now answer some of the questions raised and present them with the recent report North East Derbyshire District Council produced on the same issue.
The Environmental Health Manager – Commercial & Environment circulated the North East Derbyshire District Council report and explained that the report (presented to their Cabinet on 13th February 2020) included proposals for a ‘Bonfire and Firework Display Registration Scheme’. The scheme would raise awareness of safety concerns, promote the RSPCA noise campaign, and introduce a voluntary registration system (with code of conduct) for public displays.
The Environmental Health Manager – Commercial & Environment responded to some of the specific points raised on 3rd August 2021 as below:
1) Derbyshire County Council track all of the fireworks people buy in the area.
2) The Government has researched the impact of firework noises on people and concluded that the volume is the same as a ringing telephone. However, distance can change this.
3) Having different types of firework shows such as light shows would depend on the Government legislating for it.
4) Looking for dogs being scared by fireworks was not something the Dog Warden measured.
The Environmental Health Manager – Commercial & Environment explained that many of the issues mentioned were Police matters. Members agreed that they would like to see an approach to enforcement and firework misuse that would see Enforcement officers join the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme, which would allow them to carry out Police work. The Environmental Health Manager – Commercial & Environment and the Head of Leader's Executive and Partnerships agreed they would investigate the possibility.
N.B. The Environmental Health Manager – Commercial & Environment left the meeting at this point.
RESOLVED that the verbal update on the Fireworks review be noted.