East Ayrshire Council gains new powers to restrict the use of fireworks
A recent meeting at Full Council informed members that new firework laws have been introduced, and East Ayrshire Council will oversee the process for considering and designating Firework Control Zones.
The Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022 gives councils a new discretionary power to introduce Firework Control Zones.
A Firework Control Zone is a designated area within a local authority area in which it is a criminal offence for a member of the public to ignite a firework - this includes fireworks ignited on private property such as a garden.
East Ayrshire Council has consulted with Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, NHS, East Ayrshire Leisure and East Ayrshire’s Anti-social behaviour Department, Environmental Health, Trading Standards and Housing, seeking views as to whether there was an identifiable need to designate a Firework Control Zone in areas of East Ayrshire, and to provide evidence or intelligence to support the designation of a Firework Control Zone.
A Firework Control Zone would prohibit the use of fireworks by members of the public on private ground but will not prevent an organised public firework display from taking place, or the use of fireworks such as sparklers, indoor fireworks and party poppers.
It is an offence to use a firework within a designated zone, or to knowingly or recklessly throw a lit firework into one. Police Scotland enforces these offences.
The introduction of these new zones is not intended to cover the whole local authority area, but form part of a suite of measures to tackle firework issues in known hotspots.
When a Firework Control Zone is agreed, East Ayrshire Council will continue to work in partnership with Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, community organisations, and other key stakeholders to undertake regular reviews of the zone’s operation and effectiveness. Any designating, amending, or revoking of a Firework Control Zone will also be agreed with partner organisations.
Requests for a Firework Control Zone can only be submitted by a community of residents (20 signatures), a welfare group, a community council, or a group of people with similar interests, such as a sports club or faith group. Requests from individuals will not be considered.
Requests should also be supported by specific concerns, which could include misuse of fireworks, such as anti-social behaviour, attacks on individuals or emergency workers, noise disturbance, or injuries caused by fireworks.
Councillor Jim McMahon, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Housing, Transport and Communities said:
“Making sure that East Ayrshire residents are safe and supported in their homes and communities is one of my top priorities. While implementing Firework Control Zones is not intended to eliminate all firework issues, it is my hope that by working together with partner agencies and community organisations, that we can tackle issues that arise from the misuse of fireworks in areas experiencing particularly high levels of anti-social behaviour.”
Visit the Council’s website for more information on Firework Control Zones.