(time limit 30 minutes)
Motion 1
Cost-of-Living Emergency Motion:
Councillor Chadderton to MOVE and Councillor Jabbar to SECOND:
Oldhamers are facing an unprecedented Cost-of-Living crisis, according to the Office for National Statistics, 88% of adults in the Great Britain reported an increase in their cost of living in May 2022, due to a range of factors including rising inflation, increases in energy and fuel prices, government tax rises and rising food prices – all the while the Government sit by and refuse to act.
Oldham Council recently hosted a Cost-of-Living summit, commissioned by the Labour leadership, to look at how best to support our residents as inflation, energy, food and fuel prices continue to rise. The Council is now developing a comprehensive plan to tackle the crisis and delivering real tangible help for those who need it, no one should be making the choice between heating or eating this winter.
With energy bills set to rise to more than £3000 next month, and possibly rising to above £4000 in January; inflation predicted to hit 18.6% by investment bank Citi; average petrol prices up 30% at their peak compared to the beginning of the year many families in Oldham are struggling, we are seeing too many people now being pushed into poverty. The time for action is now, we are declaring a cost-of-living emergency and calling on the new Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer to step up to the crease and help those who need it.
This Council notes:
· That the Cost-of-Living emergency is a key issue for us as a local authority, against a backdrop of financial factors at national and international level.
· In these increasingly difficult times, there is a need for us as a local authority to ensure advice and appropriate support is available to all residents.
· The disproportionate impact of the crisis on low-income households, which will spend a larger proportion of their income than average on energy and food and will therefore be more affected by price increases and tax rises that result in reduced disposable income.
· That over 15% of households in Oldham are currently experiencing fuel poverty, with this number likely to rise over the coming winter; that the number of food parcels given out by the Oldham foodbank has more than doubled compared to previous years; that in 2021 36% of children in Oldham were in relative poverty – the highest of Greater Manchester’s 10 Local Authorities; that the unemployment rate in Oldham remains above the national average; that 23% of Oldhamers are paid below the Real Living Wage (as of 2021)
· The work the Council are currently undertaking across all departments to support the most vulnerable residents, including offering help with benefits and money advice, signposting residents in the direction of further support, the programme of support provided by the Household Support Fund, our ambitious Holiday Activities and Food programme and the recent cost-of-living summit which brought council services, partners and community representatives to develop ideas.
· That, while many of the economic factors causing the current cost of living crisis are outside of our control as a local authority, it is essential that we focus our efforts on providing the assistance we do have at our disposal to those residents struggling the most.
This Council resolves to:
· Ensure that we continue to take a coordinated approach towards addressing the cost-of-living emergency, alongside working with our partners.
· Ensure that council decisions are not disproportionately impacting on residents who are struggling the most, through considering socio-economic impacts in all our equality impact assessments by adopting the socio-economic duty of the Equality Act 2010.
· Continue campaigning for and championing a real living wage for workers in our Borough, especially working closely with employers.
· Commit to working with others to ensure that we can harness the good will in our borough to benefit all our residents.
This Council further resolves to:
· Declare a Cost-of-Living Emergency and instruct the Chief Executive to write to the new Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer to demand they offer more support to residents, particularly:
o for the energy price cap to be frozen to protect families this winter
o for the Government to come good and deliver on their levelling up promises to deprived areas who need investment and support more than ever
o to deliver on their promises to fix social care, alleviating the burden from local authorities and
increase the support offered to local authorities so those of us who knew our communities best can make the most difference here on the ground
Motion 2
Fireworks Motion:
Councillor S Bashforth to MOVE and Councillor Umar Nasheen to SECOND:
Many of us will have received, or be aware of, complaints about fireworks being used in an anti-social way late at night and early hours of the morning. This is not a new problem but seems to have increased recently to the point where they can be heard almost every night of the week disturbing people’s sleep and frightening pets.
Fireworks now seem to be used at times of celebration throughout the year, whatever the occasion. When kept safe, sensible and considerate they can be well received and people generally share in the happiness of the occasion. However a small minority selfishly abuse the good will in our neighbourhoods and resort to letting off fireworks at anti-social hours. This is unacceptable. We are appealing to all our communities and residents to help us to raise awareness and prevent this sort of anti-social behaviour. We are doing everything we can to address the issues in Partnership with the Police and Fire Service.
As a Council we are aware of the law that sets a minimum age for buying fireworks, limits the times and places fireworks can be used, categorises fireworks and limits the dates fireworks for private use can be purchased.
It’s clear that these laws are not working, for example a quick search on the internet reveals many suppliers will sell fireworks online at any time without, it seems, any credible way of checking the buyer’s age or intended use. And the very reason this motion is being put to council, after public concern over the apparent illegal and anti-social use of fireworks proves this.
When kept safe, sensible, considerate and responsibly organised, firework displays can bring joy and excitement. Therefore we want to propose the following conditions in this motion that will help target the issues that we feel will help us and our communities to have more assurance. We may have differing opinions on whether fireworks should be banned completely but we can all agree that if they are used, this should be done responsibly. This motion sets out to propose some measures to allow licensed, controlled and safe fireworks displays, whilst tacking the anti-social use of fireworks.
This Council notes:
· That there has been a rise in the misuse of fireworks including the use of larger multiple firework launchers and the increased availability of fireworks through online sales, which encourage the illegal use of fireworks during anti-social hours.
· The short-lived nature of firework noise can make it difficult for the police or council officers to pinpoint locations and take action.
· The RSPCA believes the law is failing as it does not prevent or sufficiently reduce the risk of fireworks causing distress, injury or anxiety to people, as well as death, injury or distress to animals.
· A review of the licensing for all public firework displays is needed, ensuring displays are better advertised to the public informing of noise levels and how it may affect people and animals.
This Council resolves to:
To write to the 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 review current laws on the sale and use of fireworks including a requirement for purchasers to state when how and where the fireworks would be used.
· To strengthen national restrictions governing how, when and where fireworks can be purchased, and in what volume per transaction including online sales.
· Restrict firework sales to ‘all year round’ retailers to reduce risks associated with ‘pop up’ sellers who appear for short periods.
This Council further resolves to:
· Write to all local events venues reminding them of the law and exploring the possibility of requiring them to be registered/licenced for the use of fireworks.
· Introduce a requirement for community notification of firework use by venues hosting private events.
· Require all public firework displays including those at an events venue within the local authority boundaries to be advertised in advance of the event, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people.
Minutes:
Motion 1 – Cost of Living Crisis
Councillor Chadderton MOVED and Councillor Jabbar SECONDED the following Motion: Cost of Living Crisis.
Oldhamers are facing an unprecedented Cost-of-Living crisis, according to the Office for National Statistics, 88% of adults in the Great Britain reported an increase in their cost of living in May 2022, due to a range of factors including rising inflation, increases in energy and fuel prices, government tax rises and rising food prices – all the while the Government sit by and refuse to act.
Oldham Council recently hosted a Cost-of-Living summit, commissioned by the Labour leadership, to look at how best to support our residents as inflation, energy, food and fuel prices continue to rise. The Council is now developing a comprehensive plan to tackle the crisis and delivering real tangible help for those who need it, no one should be making the choice between heating or eating this winter.
With energy bills set to rise to more than £3000 next month, and possibly rising to above £4000 in January; inflation predicted to hit 18.6% by investment bank Citi; average petrol prices up 30% at their peak compared to the beginning of the year many families in Oldham are struggling, we are seeing too many people now being pushed into poverty. The time for action is now, we are declaring a cost-of-living emergency and calling on the new Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer to step up to the crease and help those who need it.
This Council notes:
· That the Cost-of-Living emergency is a key issue for us as a local authority, against a backdrop of financial factors at national and international level.
· In these increasingly difficult times, there is a need for us as a local authority to ensure advice and appropriate support is available to all residents.
· The disproportionate impact of the crisis on low-income households, which will spend a larger proportion of their income than average on energy and food and will therefore be more affected by price increases and tax rises that result in reduced disposable income.
· That over 15% of households in Oldham are currently experiencing fuel poverty, with this number likely to rise over the coming winter; that the number of food parcels given out by the Oldham foodbank has more than doubled compared to previous years; that in 2021 36% of children in Oldham were in relative poverty – the highest of Greater Manchester’s 10 Local Authorities; that the unemployment rate in Oldham remains above the national average; that 23% of Oldhamers are paid below the Real Living Wage (as of 2021)
· The work the Council are currently undertaking across all departments to support the most vulnerable residents, including offering help with benefits and money advice, signposting residents in the direction of further support, the programme of support provided by the Household Support Fund, our ambitious Holiday Activities and Food programme and the recent cost-of-living summit which brought council services, partners and community representatives to develop ideas.
· That, while many of the economic factors causing the current cost of living crisis are outside of our control as a local authority, it is essential that we focus our efforts on providing the assistance we do have at our disposal to those residents struggling the most.
This Council resolves to:
· Ensure that we continue to take a coordinated approach towards addressing the cost-of-living emergency, alongside working with our partners.
· Ensure that council decisions are not disproportionately impacting on residents who are struggling the most, through considering socio-economic impacts in all our equality impact assessments by adopting the socio-economic duty of the Equality Act 2010.
· Continue campaigning for and championing a real living wage for workers in our Borough, especially working closely with employers.
· Commit to working with others to ensure that we can harness the good will in our borough to benefit all our residents.
This Council further resolves to:
· Declare a Cost-of-Living Emergency and instruct the Chief Executive to write to the new Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer to demand they offer more support to residents, particularly:
o for the energy price cap to be frozen to protect families this winter
o for the Government to come good and deliver on their levelling up promises to deprived areas who need investment and support more than ever
o to deliver on their promises to fix social care, alleviating the burden from local authorities and
increase the support offered to local authorities so those of us who knew our communities best can make the most difference here on the ground.
AMENDMENT
Councillor Quigg MOVED and Councillor Sharp SECONDED the following AMENDMENT:
Oldhamers are facing an unprecedented Cost-of-Living crisis, according to the Office for National Statistics, 88% of adults in the Great Britain reported an increase in their cost of living in May 2022, due to a range of factors including the Russian Federation invading the Republic of Ukraine, and repeated lockdowns that resulted in the disruption to supply chains, rising inflation, increases in energy and fuel prices, government tax rises and rising food prices. – all the while the Government sit by and refuse to act.
Oldham Council recently hosted a Cost-of-Living summit, commissioned by the Labour leadership, to look at how best to support our residents as inflation, energy, food and fuel prices continue to rise. The Council is now developing a comprehensive plan to tackle the crisis and delivering real tangible help for those who need it, no one should be making the choice between heating or eating this winter. Things however have not been helped by this Council:
• Consistently increasing Council tax.
• The levying of a Mayoral precept by the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham who has added an extra burden on taxpayers by increasing it.
• Support for un-costed “green” schemes and “green” taxes such as the disastrous Clean Air Zone ‘tax’ and other projects which have failed to deliver enough energy at a low cost without millions of pounds in subsidies through higher taxes.
With energy bills set to rise to more than £3000 next month, and possibly rising to above £4000 in January; inflation predicted to hit 18.6% by investment bank Citi; average petrol prices up 30% at their peak compared to the beginning of the year many families in Oldham are struggling, we are seeing too many people now being pushed into poverty.
The fact the Russian Federation decided to invade the Ukraine and blockade as well as cut off grain, oil and gas supplies has seen commodities prices rise exponentially, where in less than two weeks following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, futures prices for crude oil and wheat rose 23% and 36%, respectively.
The Russian Federation is the world’s third largest producer of crude oil and second largest producer of natural gas, accounting for 11% of global oil production and almost 18% of natural gas production. Russia and Ukraine produce and export large quantities of agricultural products, such as wheat and corn. In fact, Russia and Ukraine combined are the second largest producers of wheat in the world (after China) and export more wheat globally than any other country, accounting for about 29% of global wheat exports.
Countries with direct trade exposures to Russia and Ukraine have experienced the most substantial increases in prices in the immediate aftermath of the invasion. For example, gas prices in the European Union have increased 665% from the previous year in March, whereas U.S. natural gas prices have increased about 85%. Although natural gas production is distributed across the globe, markets are primarily regional. For example, more than 70% of Russian gas exports go to Europe. In addition, 90% of Russian wheat exports and about 55% of wheat exports from Ukraine are typically destined for countries in Africa, the Middle East, or Europe.
Combined with the opposition to securing domestic energy supplies whether through hydraulic fracturing, nuclear power, opening of oil and gas fields in the North Sea and the opening of domestic coal mines has resulted in an over reliance on foreign imports from unstable and dangerous regimes such as the Russian Federation.
This has left the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and our continental European neighbours vulnerable to fluctuations in commodities prices which has impacted on us all.
The failure by the Bank of England to manage monetary supply and act quickly enough to tackle rising inflation post the Covid-19 pandemic has allowed inflation to rise rapidly also.
The time for action is now, we are declaring a cost-of-living emergency and calling on the new Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer to step up to the crease and help those who need it. The Council calls for action in the Emergency Budget of the new Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer to deliver a package of help but to also act on delivering BRITISH ENERGY INDEPENDENCE by securing our domestic energy supplies.
This Council notes:
• That the Cost-of-Living emergency is a key issue for us as a local authority, against a backdrop of financial factors at national and international level.
• In these increasingly difficult times, there is a need for us as a local authority to ensure advice and appropriate support is available to all residents.
• The disproportionate impact of the crisis on low-income households, which will spend a larger proportion of their income than average on energy and food and will therefore be more affected by price increases and tax rises that result in reduced disposable income.
• That over 15% of households in Oldham are currently experiencing fuel poverty, with this number likely to rise over the coming winter; that the number of food parcels given out by the Oldham foodbank has more than doubled compared to previous years; that in 2021 36% of children in Oldham were in relative poverty – due to the decades of failure by the Labour administration at Oldham Council which now ranks the highest of Greater Manchester’s 10 Local Authorities; that the unemployment rate in Oldham remains above the national average due to the failure of the Labour administration at Oldham Council and the failure to attract inward investment as well as large overspends in capital projects; that 23% of Oldhamers are paid below the Real Living Wage (as of 2021) due to this Labour administration at Oldham Council failing to attract employers, improve educational outcomes and boasting about Oldham being a low wage economy.
• The work the Council are currently undertaking across all departments to support the most vulnerable residents, including offering help with benefits and money advice, signposting residents in the direction of further support, the programme of support provided by the Household Support Fund, our ambitious Holiday Activities and Food programme and the recent cost-of-living summit which brought council services, partners and community representatives to develop ideas.
• That, while many of the economic factors causing the current cost of living crisis are outside of our control as a local authority, it is essential that we focus our efforts on providing the assistance we do have at our disposal to those residents struggling the most.
• Notes the help provided so by the government so far with;
• £400 granted to households through their energy suppliers over six months from October.
• The £650 one-off Cost of Living Payment for those on means-tested benefits. With the Department of Work & Pensions making two lump sum payments in July and later in the autumn to people on a range of benefits.
• The one-off £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment for households that receive the Winter Fuel Payment, who will get this on top of any other support they’re entitled to. This tax-free payment won’t affect any other entitlements. For most people this will be paid by direct debit.
• £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment which is a one-off, tax-free payment which will be made in September to people who receive the following benefits: Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Armed Forces Independence Payment, Constant Attendance Allowance, War Pension Mobility Supplement.
This Council resolves to:
• Ensure that we continue to take a coordinated approach towards addressing the cost-of-living emergency, alongside working with our partners.
• Ensure that council decisions are not disproportionately impacting on residents who are struggling the most, through considering socio-economic impacts in all our equality impact assessments by adopting the socio-economic duty of the Equality Act 2010.
• Continue campaigning for and championing a real living wage for workers in our Borough, especially working closely with employers.
• Commit to working with others to ensure that we can harness the good will in our borough to benefit all our residents.
• Deliver on the Labour administrations local election promise to pay each household £600 to help with energy bills.
• Not increase Council tax.
• Back British energy and secure our own domestic energy supply and sourcing our oil, gas, coal and renewables from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and not from unstable regimes abroad.
• That the Chief Executive spearhead a campaign to make sure those eligible pupils in the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham take up the free school meals they are entitled to.
• Buy British where it can in order to help support local producers.
This Council further resolves to:
Declare a Cost-of-Living Emergency and TO TAKE ACTION THIS DAY and instruct the Chief Executive to write to the new Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer to demand they offer more support to residents in their Emergency Budget, particularly:
· for the energy price cap to be frozen to protect families this winter or for other measures which help reduce the costs of energy this winter
· Support cutting income tax and national insurance for working people
· Support the suspension of green levies on energy bills
· Support the Government in sourcing more of our own domestic energy supplies, whether coal, oil, gas, nuclear, or renewables and not from foreign or unstable regimes abroad and back calls for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in becoming energy independent
· for the Government to come good and deliver on their levelling up promises to deprived areas who need investment and support more than ever
· to deliver on their promises to fix social care, alleviating the burden from local authorities and increase the support offered to local authorities so those of us who knew our communities best can make the most difference here on the ground.
A vote was taken on the AMENDMENT, which was LOST.
On being put to the Vote, the MOTION was CARRIED.
RESOLVED that Oldham Council:
1. Ensure that we continue to take a coordinated approach towards addressing the cost-of-living emergency, alongside working with our partners.
2. Ensure that council decisions are not disproportionately impacting on residents who are struggling the most, through considering socio-economic impacts in all our equality impact assessments by adopting the socio-economic duty of the Equality Act 2010.
3. Continue campaigning for and championing a real living wage for workers in our Borough, especially working closely with employers.
4. Commit to working with others to ensure that we can harness the good will in our borough to benefit all our residents.
This Council further resolves to:
5. Declare a Cost-of-Living Emergency and instruct the Chief Executive to write to the new Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer to demand they offer more support to residents, particularly:
6. increase the support offered to local authorities so those of us who knew our communities best can make the most difference here on the ground.
MOTION 2 – Fireworks
Councillor S. Bashforth MOVED and Councillor Nasheen SECONDED the following Motion: Fireworks
Many of us will have received, or be aware of, complaints about fireworks being used in an anti-social way late at night and early hours of the morning. This is not a new problem but seems to have increased recently to the point where they can be heard almost every night of the week disturbing people’s sleep and frightening pets.
Fireworks now seem to be used at times of celebration throughout the year, whatever the occasion. When kept safe, sensible and considerate they can be well received and people generally share in the happiness of the occasion. However a small minority selfishly abuse the good will in our neighbourhoods and resort to letting off fireworks at anti-social hours. This is unacceptable. We are appealing to all our communities and residents to help us to raise awareness and prevent this sort of anti-social behaviour. We are doing everything we can to address the issues in Partnership with the Police and Fire Service.
As a Council we are aware of the law that sets a minimum age for buying fireworks, limits the times and places fireworks can be used, categorises fireworks and limits the dates fireworks for private use can be purchased.
It’s clear that these laws are not working, for example a quick search on the internet reveals many suppliers will sell fireworks online at any time without, it seems, any credible way of checking the buyer’s age or intended use. And the very reason this motion is being put to council, after public concern over the apparent illegal and anti-social use of fireworks proves this.
When kept safe, sensible, considerate and responsibly organised, firework displays can bring joy and excitement. Therefore we want to propose the following conditions in this motion that will help target the issues that we feel will help us and our communities to have more assurance. We may have differing opinions on whether fireworks should be banned completely but we can all agree that if they are used, this should be done responsibly. This motion sets out to propose some measures to allow licensed, controlled and safe fireworks displays, whilst tacking the anti-social use of fireworks.
This Council notes:
· That there has been a rise in the misuse of fireworks including the use of larger multiple firework launchers and the increased availability of fireworks through online sales, which encourage the illegal use of fireworks during anti-social hours.
· The short-lived nature of firework noise can make it difficult for the police or council officers to pinpoint locations and take action.
· The RSPCA believes the law is failing as it does not prevent or sufficiently reduce the risk of fireworks causing distress, injury or anxiety to people, as well as death, injury or distress to animals.
· A review of the licensing for all public firework displays is needed, ensuring displays are better advertised to the public informing of noise levels and how it may affect people and animals.
This Council resolves to:
To write to the 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 review current laws on the sale and use of fireworks including a requirement for purchasers to state when how and where the fireworks would be used.
· To strengthen national restrictions governing how, when and where fireworks can be purchased, and in what volume per transaction including online sales.
· Restrict firework sales to ‘all year round’ retailers to reduce risks associated with ‘pop up’ sellers who appear for short periods.
This Council further resolves to:
· Write to all local events venues reminding them of the law and exploring the possibility of requiring them to be registered/licenced for the use of fireworks.
· Introduce a requirement for community notification of firework use by venues hosting private events.
· Require all public firework displays including those at an events venue within the local authority boundaries to be advertised in advance of the event, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people
1st AMENDMENT
AN AMENDMENT To the Motion to be MOVED by Councillor Woodvine and SECONDED by Councillor McManus was WITHDRAWN.
2nd AMENDMENT
Councillor Quigg MOVED and Councillor Arnott SECONDED the following AMENDMENT:
Many of us will have received, or be aware of, complaints about fireworks being used in an anti-social way late at night and early hours of the morning. This is not a new problem but seems to have increased recently to the point where they can be heard almost every night of the week disturbing people’s sleep and frightening pets. Things are not getting better as there is now an arms race on who has the biggest and loudest fireworks at their wedding.
Oldham Council officers and Greater Manchester Police are failing to tackle the issue with each passing the buck to the other. As such co-ordinated action must be taken by Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council, Greater Manchester Fire Service and Greater Manchester Police.
The laws of the land are not being enforced and the Council needs to act where it has the power to as do the Police and Fire Service. Under the local government act 1972, section 235; Power of councils to make byelaws for good rule and government and suppression of nuisances, we propose that the licensing committee look to formulate a byelaw which restricts the use and sale of fireworks in the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham outside of Bonfire night, New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year.
Fireworks now seem to be used at times of celebration throughout the year, whatever the occasion. When kept safe, sensible and considerate they can be well received and people generally share in the happiness of the occasion. However, a small minority selfishly abuse the good will in our neighbourhoods and resort to letting off fireworks at anti-social hours. This is unacceptable. We are appealing to all our communities and residents to help us to raise awareness and prevent this sort of anti-social behaviour. We are doing everything we can to address the issues in Partnership with the Police and Fire Service.
As a Council we are aware of the law that sets a minimum age for buying fireworks, limits the times and places fireworks can be used, categorises fireworks and limits the dates fireworks for private use can be purchased.
It’s clear these laws are not working need updating for the 21st Century, for example a quick search on the internet reveals many suppliers will sell fireworks online at any time without, it seems, any credible way of checking the buyer’s age or intended use. And the very reason this motion is being put to council, after public concern over the apparent illegal and anti-social use of fireworks proves this.
When kept safe, sensible, considerate and responsibly organised, firework displays can bring joy and excitement. Therefore we want to propose the following conditions in this motion that will help target the issues that we feel will help us and our communities to have more assurance. We may have differing opinions on whether fireworks should be banned completely but we can all agree that if they are used, this should be done responsibly. This motion sets out to propose some measures to allow licensed, controlled and safe fireworks displays, whilst tacking the anti-social use of fireworks.
This Council notes:
• That there has been a rise in the misuse of fireworks including the use of larger multiple firework launchers and the increased availability of fireworks through online sales, which encourage the illegal use of fireworks during anti-social hours.
• The short-lived nature of firework noise can make it difficult for the police or council officers to pinpoint locations and take action.
• The RSPCA believes the law is failing as it does not prevent or sufficiently reduce the risk of fireworks causing distress, injury or anxiety to people, as well as death, injury or distress to animals.
• A review of the licensing for all public firework displays is needed, ensuring displays are better advertised to the public informing of noise levels and how it may affect people and animals.
This Council resolves to:
To write to the 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 review current laws on the sale and use of fireworks including a requirement for purchasers to state when how and where the fireworks would be used.
• To strengthen national restrictions governing how, when and where fireworks can be purchased, and in what volume per transaction including online sales.
• Restrict firework sales to ‘all year round’ retailers to reduce risks associated with ‘pop up’ sellers who appear for short periods.
This Council further resolves to:
• Write to all local events venues reminding them of the law and exploring the possibility of requiring them to be registered/licenced for the use of fireworks.
• Introduce a requirement for community notification of firework use by venues hosting private events.
• Require all public firework displays including those at an events venue within the local authority boundaries to be advertised in advance of the event, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people.
• Instruct the licensing committee to formulate a byelaw which restricts the use and sale of fireworks in the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham outside of Bonfire night, New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year.
• For a campaign of co-ordinated action, with Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council, Greater Manchester Fire Service and Greater Manchester Police forming a joint operation targeting and enforcing the law as well as using all the tools available to them to deal with the issue.
A vote was then taken on this AMENDMENT, which was declared LOST.
3rd AMENDMENT
Councillor Al-Hamdani MOVED and Councillor H. Gloster seconded the following Amendment.
Many of us will have received, or be aware of, complaints about fireworks being used in an anti-social way late at night and early hours of the morning. This is not a new problem but seems to have increased recently to the point where they can be heard almost every night of the week disturbing people’s sleep and frightening pets.
Fireworks now seem to be used at times of celebration throughout the year, whatever the occasion. When kept safe, sensible and considerate they can be well received and people generally share in the happiness of the occasion. However a small minority selfishly abuse the good will in our neighbourhoods and resort to letting off fireworks at anti-social hours. This is unacceptable. We are appealing to all our communities and residents to help us to raise awareness and prevent this sort of anti-social behaviour. We are doing everything we can to address the issues in Partnership with the Police and Fire Service.
As a Council we are aware of the law that sets a minimum age for buying fireworks, limits the times and places fireworks can be used, categorises fireworks and limits the dates fireworks for private use can be purchased.
It’s clear that these laws are not working, for example a quick search on the internet reveals many suppliers will sell fireworks online at any time without, it seems, any credible way of checking the buyer’s age or intended use. And the very reason this motion is being put to council, after public concern over the apparent illegal and anti-social use of fireworks proves this.
When kept safe, sensible, considerate and responsibly organised, firework displays can bring joy and excitement. Therefore we want to propose the following conditions in this motion that will help target the issues that we feel will help us and our communities to have more assurance. We may have differing opinions on whether fireworks should be banned completely but we can all agree that if they are used, this should be done responsibly. This motion sets out to propose some measures to allow licensed, controlled and safe fireworks displays, whilst tacking the anti-social use of fireworks.
This Council notes:
· That there has been a rise in the misuse of fireworks including the use of larger multiple firework launchers and the increased availability of fireworks through online sales, which encourage the illegal use of fireworks during anti-social hours.
· The short-lived nature of firework noise can make it difficult for the police or council officers to pinpoint locations and take action.
· The RSPCA believes the law is failing as it does not prevent or sufficiently reduce the risk of fireworks causing distress, injury or anxiety to people, as well as death, injury or distress to animals.
· A review of the licensing for all public firework displays is needed, ensuring displays are better advertised to the public informing of noise levels and how it may affect people and animals.
This Council resolves to:
To write to the 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 review current laws on the sale and use of fireworks including a requirement for purchasers to state when how and where the fireworks would be used.
· To strengthen national restrictions governing how, when and where fireworks can be purchased, and in what volume per transaction including online sales.
· Restrict firework sales to ‘all year round’ retailers to reduce risks associated with ‘pop up’ sellers who appear for short periods.
This Council further resolves to:
· Write to all local events venues reminding them of the law and exploring the possibility of requiring them to be registered/licenced for the use of fireworks and encouraging them to separate ‘quieter’ fireworks from the loud ones so people can choose which ones they prefer with animal and people safety in mind.
· Introduce a requirement for community notification offirework use by venues hosting private events.
· Require all public firework displays including those at an events venue within the local authority boundaries to be advertised in advance of the event, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people.
· Applying Challenge 25 legislation to the sale of fireworks in Oldham Borough. Challenge 25 is a scheme that encourages anyone who is over 18 but looks under 25 to carry acceptable ID when they want to buy alcohol. With the danger that Fireworks carry, the same policy should be applied for people who want to possess fireworks.
On being put to the vote the MOTION as amended was CARRIED.
RESOLVED that
1. The Council writes to the Government urging them to introduce legislation to:
a. Limit the maximum noise level of fireworks to 90dB for those sold to the public for private displays.
b. To review current laws on the sale and use of fireworks including a requirement for purchasers to state when how and where the fireworks would be used.
The Council further resolves to:
2. Write to all local events venues reminding them of the law and exploring the possibility of requiring them to be registered/licenced for the use of fireworks and encouraging them to separate ‘quieter’ fireworks from the loud ones so people can choose which ones they prefer with animal and people safety in mind.
3. Introduce a requirement for community notification offirework use by venues hosting private events.