I WAS interested in your headline letter in last week’s Gazette regarding the regulation of the sale of fireworks and public displays.

Your readers may like to note that on December 15, 2020, SWT Full Council passed a motion seeking to encourage and promote such regulation within our district largely adopting the text suggested by the RSPCA.

The full text can be found on our website.

READ MORE: LETTER: ‘I’m annoyed by people’s attitudes to fireworks’

While I personally enjoy a firework display as much as anyone, I do also feel strongly that some elements of control are required.

In particular, legislation by government is required to regulate the advertising of displays and the control of the loud bangs and firecrackers which are particularly stressful for vulnerable persons and animals.

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While SWT has written to the government to lobby for this, we would encourage our MP and all persons concerned to continue pressing for reasonable statutory controls.

Here is the text of the motion:

This Council resolves: 1. To strongly recommend and advise that all public firework displays within this local authority boundaries be advertised effectively at least seven days in advance of the event, to allow our residents particularly those living in the vicinity to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people.

2. To actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare, vulnerable people and our environment - including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate those risks.

3. To write to the UK Government urging them to introduce legislation to limit the maximum noise level of fireworks sold to the public for private displays in order to protect and safeguard animals and vulnerable people.

4. To encourage local suppliers of fireworks to stock ‘quieter’ fireworks for public display.

CLLRS SARAH WAKEFIELD AND MARK LITHGOW
Somerset West and Taunton Council