Tighter curbs on fireworks agreed
Councillors have unanimously agreed to tighter regulations for fireworks displays on land and property owned by Perth and Kinross Council.
The revised motion was deemed a “vastly watered-down” version of a previous one which called for a move away from fireworks but was rejected by councillors demanding more information.
On Wednesday, May 10 Perth and Kinross councillors agreed to impose restrictions on displays on council-owned land and property.
On December 21 - following an hour’s debate and heartfelt deputations by both Angie Ferguson, chief executive of Perth Autism Support and Katie Mccandless-thomas of Missing Pets - several councillors were left with more questions than answers when faced with a motion for PKC to “move away from” using fireworks to celebrate key events.
On Wednesday, Labour Perth City North councillor Brian Leishman and SNP deputy council leader Eric Drysdale tabled a
revised motion before members.
Councillors were asked to agree to fireworks/pyrotechnics displays held on council-owned property or land or that are managed, sponsored or funded by PKC, be restricted to: a bonfire and fireworks event held on the South Inch, Perth in November; Christmas lights switch-on in Perth; bonfire and fireworks event held in Pitlochry in November; Braemar Day fireworks event held in Blairgowrie on the Saturday of the Braemar Highland Games.
Religious festivals in Perth and Kinross will also be permitted to have fireworks/pyrotechnics displays.
However organisers need to publicise details of the display in the local press. They will also be required to notify PKC and limit displays to 30 minutes.
Tabling the motion, Cllr Leishman said: “I believe that the motion put to you today still provides us with the opportunity to positively influence things for the benefit of people across our communities and also their pets.”
He added: “I believe, with this motion, we can take proactive action to ensure our residents are well informed and have the opportunity to take preemptive measures that will make a real difference for those that experience the issues I have previously mentioned.”
But Liberal Democrat Perth City Centre councillor Peter Barrett said the revised motion was a “distinct disappointment” and requested PKC explore the feasibility of imposing a 90 decibel limit on fireworks.
Councillors Leishman and Drysdale agreed to incorporate the amendment.
Conservative Carse of Gowrie councillor Angus Forbes pledged his support for the restrictions but added: “I am disappointed it’s a vastly watered-down version of what we saw the last time.
“I’m fairly convinced that in the real world it won’t make any difference to anyone’s lives which is disappointing.”
The introduction of tighter restrictions on displays on PKC’S land and property was approved.