Council backs plan to minimise the impact of fireworks in Harborough

Harborough District Council is calling for drastic action to minimise the impact of fireworks on vulnerable people, pets and livestock.
Harborough District Council is calling for drastic action to minimise the impact of fireworks on vulnerable people, pets and livestock.Harborough District Council is calling for drastic action to minimise the impact of fireworks on vulnerable people, pets and livestock.
Harborough District Council is calling for drastic action to minimise the impact of fireworks on vulnerable people, pets and livestock.

The authority overwhelmingly passed a motion by Cllr Phil King at a full council meeting on Monday night (Nov 18).

The council leader has acted after being lobbied by outraged local people and the RSPCA after weeks of random fireworks being set off.

Cllr King told councillors: “A number of residents have contacted me asking me to take action.

“We should write to the government asking them to introduce legislation to limit firework noise.

“We are a rural area and a lot of people keep animals.”

He added: “This is causing a lot of distress and anxiety to people and their animals.”

Cllr King said in his motion that fireworks “can cause significant problems and fear for other people and animals”.

“They can be a source of fear and distress for many animals (including pet animals, farm livestock and wildlife).

Animals affected not only suffer psychological distress but can also cause themselves injuries – sometimes very serious ones – as they attempt to run away or hide from the noise,” he said.

Backing the move, Cllr Phil Knowles, leader of the council’s Liberal Democrat Opposition, said: “This is a very important issue.

Fireworks seriously affect people’s pets and livestock.

“We have an opportunity here to make a positive impact, to make fireworks safer and more acceptable.”

The council voted to:

* To strongly encourage organisers of public firework displays to use the approved Leicestershire County Council ‘toolkit’, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people

* To actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people – including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks

* To write to Government urging them to introduce legislation to limit the maximum noise level of fireworks to 90dB for those sold to the public for private displays

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