The template Council Motion below comes from Bradford Liberal Democrats and calls for an investigation into a local by-law to restrict the use of noisy fireworks in the district as well as more public firework displays utilising quieter fireworks.
This is to reduce noise-related stress for residents but also to help tackle the anti-social behaviour sometimes associated with fireworks.
You can also find some additional materials from ALDC on fireworks here.
The template motion is below:
This Council notes
1. That firework displays are common throughout the world and are the focal point of many cultural and religious celebrations.
2. With concern the rising number of complaints about all year round noise nuisance from fireworks.
3. The impact loud bangs have on some people with mental ill health, some people who are anxious about loud noises, some people with a disability for whom loud noises can be extremely disturbing and those people suffering from post-traumatic stress dis-order.
4. Many household pets and wild animals suffer distress as a result of fireworks.
5. The increasing public health concerns surrounding the use of fireworks
This Council believes that everyone has a right to enjoy firework displays. This Council also believes that this should not be at the expense of the amenity of others and notes the work done by the people of Collecchio in the province of Parma in Italy to introduce legislation to reduce acoustic stress.
This Council believes that with the increasing availability of quieter fireworks which can create “quieter” or “low noise” or “silent” displays which reduce the noise nuisance and impact on others it is time for the Council to investigate the creation of more peaceful firework displays that can be enjoyed by all.
This Council therefore instructs the Chief Executive to :
a) investigate making available quieter or low noise firework displays in public parks available to the public without charge
b) investigate the passing of a by-law to prohibit the use of noisy fireworks in the District.
c) Investigate how the Council can use public displays of low noise fireworks to celebrate the cultural diversity of the district and bring residents together.