Councils must designate Firework Control Zones
Under the Firework & Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022, Scottish Local Authorities now have the power to propose Firework Control Zones inside which only public, licensed displays will be permitted. This could mean a welcome reprieve for domestic, farm and wild animals in particular areas who would for once be spared the debilitating terror of fireworks.
Despite the fact local councils were granted this power in June 2023, nobody seems to have done anything about it. And now they are saying that it’s too late to organise them (in consultation with local communities) before fireworks season starts in November.
We are urging all 32 Scottish local authorities to act now and at least start the process of consulting with local residents, workers and stakeholders to get these zones up and running if not in time for November, then in time or Hogmanay (New Year).
You can join us by writing to your local Council leader and/or Chief Executive. Click this link for a table showing who these are, and see copy of our letter below.
Dear {Local Council Leader} and {Chief Executive},
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to draw your urgent attention to the new powers extended to local authorities under the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022, and their implications for our community. Scottish Local Authorities are now able to designate Firework Control Zones, and with November mere months away, I want to stress the need for swift action in using your new powers in time for this year’s fireworks season.
As you will know, fireworks and their well-documented dangers have long been a source of concern for our communities. The untold distress, personal injuries, property damage, noise pollution, violence and anti-social behaviour they bring, especially around occasions like Bonfire Night and New Year, place undue pressure on our local services, particularly our invaluable National Health Service and Fire Service staff.
Equally, the distressing effects of fireworks on vulnerable members of our society, such as those with autism, PTSD, and sensory-triggered mental health issues, cannot be disregarded. The impact on the hearing of newborn babies also raises significant concerns.
Additionally, the shocking events of last year in communities across Scotland notably Glasgow, Airdrie, Coatbridge and Dundee, where fireworks were used as weapons against our emergency services, highlights the potential for fireworks to be misused for harmful purposes. Incidents such as these underscore the need for comprehensive regulation to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community members.
This includes our animals. The suffering of companion animals because of fireworks is well documented, causing stress, distress, and trauma from the explosions, sometimes leading to them running away from home, having seizures and even dying from the terror – to the abject heartbreak of their families. Farmed and wild animals, too, are terrorised and harmed by the use of fireworks. I strongly encourage you to read this article, The Devastating Effects of Fireworks on Pets and Wildlife, written by Dr Kendra Coulter, a prominent expert on animals and policy, which describes the precise risks of fireworks on wildlife and companion animals and the bizarre tradition of celebrating with methods which are known to cause serious and sometimes fatal harm for the sake of “tradition”.
Under the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles Act, Firework Control Zones enable you to mitigate these traumas. By prohibiting private displays within these designated areas and allowing only licensed public displays, we can significantly reduce the adverse effects on our community.
I strongly urge you to take the necessary actions you are empowered to, by preparing and publishing a proposal, in consultations with residents, animal welfare experts, and other stakeholders to designate Firework Control Zones within your local authority in advance of this November’s fireworks season. We understand there are concerns that time is too short in relation to consultation periods, but we would draw your attention to the fact that there is no minimum time frame specified in the legislation. It simply places a duty on local authorities to reasonably consult, and we take the view that as of now, there is enough time to fulfil that duty.
It is of utmost importance and urgency that you prioritise the wellbeing of our residents, human and animal alike, and create a safer and more inclusive environment for everyone in the local council area.
Yours sincerely,