Motion for 'memorial meadows' and low-noise fireworks agreed
Councillors have agreed to explore setting up ‘memorial meadows’ and to enforce the use of ‘low-noise fireworks’ at events.
The proposals were part of a motion from the Sunderland Conservatives presented to a fullcouncilmeetingatCityHall on January 26.
This included identifying appropriate plots of land to be transformed into memorial meadows where residents could plant seeds/flowers in memory of loved ones.
The motion also urged the council to reduce the impact of noisy fireworks at events on council land by enforcing the useoflownoisealternativesfor allevents,exceptin“exceptional circumstances”.
Conservative Cllr Pam Mann added the motion was important due to the impact loud fireworks can have on domestic pets, adults and childrenwithautismandresidents withpost-traumaticstressdisorder.
LabourCllrLindaWilliams, cabinet member for Vibrant City, moved an amendment to the motion which was later backed by all political groups.
The cabinet member said the council could use event planning guidance to ensure events use low noise / silent fireworks as well as establishing memorial meadows at crematoria–butthatconsultation was needed with residents.
Cllr Williams went on to say:“I’mgoingtorequestaLet’s Talk consultation, which will
capture the residents’ views of wildflowermeadowsincrematoria and the use of low-noise
or silent fireworks."
The agreed motion in full: Council recognises the environmental damage and harm to both domestic and wild animals that can be done byballoons,paperlanternsand extremely loud fireworks.
In September 2018, Sunderland City Council, therefore, adopted a policy which banned the organised release of balloon and sky lanterns fromcouncillandandatevents supported, financially or otherwise, by Sunderland City Council including those not on council-owned land.
To revisit this priority, council resolves to:
:: Use comms team to remind residents organised balloon and lantern releases are banned.
:: Request a report on appropriate plots of council land that can be transformed into memorial meadows.
:: Use the event application process to require event organisers to use silent/quiet fireworks.