That Full Council requests that Cabinet carry out a full consultation with tourism related businesses and residents in the whole Bay area concerning the future of Dinosaur Isle Museum and the surrounding area before making any final decisions on future development of the Museum and the larger associated site.
Minutes:
Councillor Pitcher moved the following motion which was duly seconded:
The letting off of fireworks is an issue that can prove divisive. On one side there are a great many people, particularly children, who enjoy firework displays. The Isle of Wight itself is the home to one such internationally known display held at the end of Cowes Week. On the other side unregulated “back garden” displays cause much distress to homeowners and in particular their pets plus other livestock and animals in the vicinity.
It would not by the aim of this Motion to ban outright back garden displays. Instead by making the letting off of fireworks a Licensable Activity it would be possible to ensure that adequate warning be given to local people before the event, allowing people to mitigate the effects and for potential concerns to be raised. Such licensing would ensure that adequate publicity is circulated and that other authorities such as the Fire Brigade are alerted. The added scrutiny of a system of licensing would also act to enhance safety awareness.
None of this is currently possible however as the UK Government currently controls all these rules from the centre. With this in mind:
This Council notes:
1. The distress and suffering caused to animals and their owners by the act of random and unexpected letting off of fireworks.
2. That organized firework displays are often safer than ad-hoc events.
3. That many people enjoy watching fireworks.
4. That a sensible balanced local approach to this issue would allow both the enjoyment of fireworks by watchers and the security of knowing when displays would happen for local residents and pet and other animal owners.
5. That currently the Isle of Wight Council licenses the sale of fireworks but does not have the power to control their use.
6. That the UK Government frequently speak about decentralizing powers to local communities.
This Council requests the UK Government:
1. Makes the letting off of fireworks a Licensable Activity overseen by Local Authorities.
a. Ensures a national umbrella of regulation setting basic limits and ensuring the continued permittance of organized firework displays.
b. Allows Local Authorities the freedom to vary all other constraints.
A vote was then taken, the result of which was:
RESOLVED:
This Council notes:
1. The distress and suffering caused to animals and their owners by the act of random and unexpected letting off of fireworks.
2. That organized firework displays are often safer than ad-hoc events.
3. That many people enjoy watching fireworks.
4. That a sensible balanced local approach to this issue would allow both the enjoyment of fireworks by watchers and the security of knowing when displays would happen for local residents and pet and other animal owners.
5. That currently the Isle of Wight Council licenses the sale of fireworks but does not have the power to control their use.
6. That the UK Government frequently speak about decentralizing powers to local communities.
This Council requests the UK Government:
1. Makes the letting off of fireworks a Licensable Activity overseen by Local Authorities.
c. Ensures a national umbrella of regulation setting basic limits and ensuring the continued permittance of organized firework displays.
d. Allows Local Authorities the freedom to vary all other constraints.