Potential fireworks ban vote deferred
Decision moved to 2023
Perth and Kinross Council has voted to defer a decision on the use of fireworks at its displays.
At the final council meeting of the year – held on Wednesday, December 21 – a special motion was put forward asking the local authority to “move away from” using fireworks to celebrate key events.
After an hour’s debate council leader Grant Laing called for the decision to be deferred after being left confused as to what had been proposed, along with several other elected members.
Perth City North Labour councillor Brian Leishman – who tabled the motion – clarified to councillors: “It is ultimately looking for Perth and Kinross Council not funding any fireworks display or using fireworks as a method of celebrating any council events.”
Angie Ferguson, chief executive of region-wide charity Perth Autism Support – which supports more than 1200 young people across Perth and Kinross – told councillors fireworks can be “distressing and overwhelming primarily due to the unexpected nature of them” for some people with autism.
Katie McCandless- Thomas, of Missing Pets Perth and Kinross, spoke of the “traumatic” effect fireworks had on animals and called on PKC to “lead
by example” and instead use “safe alternatives to fireworks”.
Liberal Democrat Perth City Centre councillor Peter Barrett asked about switching to low noise or silent fireworks.
Katie responded: “Silent fireworks are not silent. They’re only a tiny, tiny bit quieter. A dog’s hearing is four times more sensitive than ours. A cat’s is even more sensitive.”
Strathallan Conservative councillor Keith Allan questioned if the motion “went far enough”.
And independent Strathmore councillor Colin Stewart later asked if
passing the motion meant that PKC could prevent displays happening on councilowned land.
Barbara Renton, the local authority’s executive director of communities, indicated she would need to seek legal guidance.
However, she told councillors: “My understanding is that if there was an agreement that fireworks would not be used then that would imply there could not be any displays on any council land, which would then take out other local fireworks displays.”
PKC leader Cllr Laing, who is an elected
representative for the Strathtay ward, said: “As someone who has had rescue dogs, rescue cats, rescue chickens – and even a rescue turkey – I can appreciate the sentiments of the people who have made a deputation and welcome them.”
Cllr Laing was reluctant to rush into a decision and tabled a procedural motion to defer the decision.
It was seconded by Blairgowrie and Glens SNP councillor Tom McEwan and voted through by 26 votes to 12, with the Provost and Depute Provost abstaining.
The issue will come back before Perth and Kinross Council on February 8.