A local authority should engage with a Government consultation on limiting the sale of excessively noisy fireworks and should also share details of the review with relevant community organisations, according to proposals from Calderdale’s Liberal Democrat group.
The political group believes faith communities, cultural organisations, minority groups, local mental health charities, animal welfare organisations and service veterans’ associations should all be invited to submit their views on the matter.
Kate Dearden, the MP for Halifax and a junior minister with responsibilities including consumer protection, initiated what the Government has described as the most significant examination of fireworks regulations in over twenty years during the summer period.
Among the local concerns brought to her attention is the misuse of fireworks, with suggested measures including limiting access to the loudest products so that only professional operators can purchase them, expanding the catalogue of items prohibited under Regulation 33 of the Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 due to unacceptable risks posed to communities, and reassessing the broader regulatory structure governing lower-risk classifications to ensure legislation appropriately distinguishes between varying degrees of hazard.
A motion put forward by Calderdale’s Liberal Democrats is expected to be discussed at an upcoming full council gathering, with calls for the authority to submit a response to the consultation and encourage other bodies with a stake in the issue to participate.
In his submission, Councillor Ashley Evans argues that the proposed restrictions aim to alleviate noise-related distress experienced by local residents while also addressing instances of antisocial conduct frequently linked to fireworks usage.
Councillor Evans, representing the Liberal Democrat group in Warley, has highlighted that the consultation deadline falls on October 7, meaning submissions must be prepared promptly.
His motion observes that fireworks feature prominently in celebrations across the globe and hold significance within numerous cultural and religious traditions.
However, the motion also draws attention to what it describes as a growing volume of complaints regarding year-round disturbance caused by excessively loud fireworks.
These disturbances affect individuals, including those managing post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as domestic animals and wildlife experiencing distress from the noise.
The motion additionally points to escalating occurrences of antisocial conduct involving fireworks, such as unauthorised ignition on public spaces.
Beyond participating in the consultation process and informing interested parties, Councillor Evans’s motion calls for the council to explore methods of encouraging and facilitating public firework displays to attract larger audiences, thereby decreasing reliance on private celebrations at residential premises which tend to occur at irregular times.
The motion also advocates for investigating how publicly organised firework events could be utilised to acknowledge the district’s cultural diversity and strengthen community bonds among residents.