The Isle of Wight Council will be writing to the Government requesting that fireworks become a licensable activity, meaning Islanders may in the future have to apply to the local authority to set off fireworks in their own back garden.
A motion was put forward by Councillor Daryl Pitcher of The Vectis Party with a view to controlling when and where fireworks are fired into the sky. It drew support from across the Chamber earlier this week and was voted through near unanimously.
If plans progress, Islanders may be forced to formally apply to set off fireworks on private land, as well as placing notices in the local area and perhaps even paying for a notice in the press. However, if the rules were to follow the Local Government Act this could only be done in a printed newspaper, resulting in a significant cost and not reaching a wide audience such as Island Echo’s readers.
Such a move would not only result in less public enjoyment but more paperwork and more cost for both small household displays and larger, professional displays.
In recent years fireworks have become frowned upon by some following the uprising of social media, opening up the ability for pet owners and others to raise their concerns about the noise fireworks make.
The first recorded use of fireworks in the UK was for the wedding of King Henry VII, which took place in 1486. Following the gunpowder plot of 1605, fireworks have become a key part of Bonfire Night – something that has been celebrated ever since. But in the year 2022 – 536 years after fireworks were first set off – that could be about to change.
Cllr Pitcher has said:
“I do not want to stop firework parties happening, I just want them to be done appropriately. What I want to achieve is that people in the local area, pet owners, people with vulnerable relatives and so on along with the emergency services know in advance when fireworks are expected. This allows them to take precautions.
Article continues below this advertisement “I envision a system with public notices, a mention in the press and maybe a page on the council’s website alerting people when fireworks are planned. Unfortunately, the council does not have the power to enforce such a system.
“The government are at a loss for a way forward and what I didn’t want was an outright ban from the top. Making fireworks a licensable activity and giving responsibility to councils for detail policy and implementation seems like a win-win situation, no longer a government problem but with flexibility for the Isle of Wight to do what is best for us.”
“I am hopeful that highlighting this issue will eventually lead to a much needed change in the rules.”
Where will the council be getting the staff from to process the tens of thousands of licensing requests this would generate if people followed their proposed licensing procedure?
Similarly, do they have the resources to enforce the policy when people fail to follow it (as they almost certainly will)?
The notification system the council follows for traffic management is a total shambles to I seriously doubt the same system will work any better for fireworks.
Better to tackle the problem by promoting safety awareness and encouraging a switch to non-noisy fireworks that don’t frighten pets.
Cllr Pitcher has said….I just want, What I want, I envision.
You councillors were elected to oversee the administrative functions of the isle of wight – not dictate what we can or cannot do, how we do it, where or when.
This is a free country pitcher – you can consider yourself out of a job at the next election, unless you roll back your empire building, dictatorial approach to your public servant role.
This is not about islanders freedom of choice, it is about what pitcher wants, as evidenced by his words.
Couldn’t agree more, Hitler had the idea of turning the Isle of Wight into a huge prison camp, looks like this council has the same idea. Hold us captive by increasing ferry fares, ( the council fund the ferries to some extent ) This council just have to be the most corrupt council in the country. Notice how quiet ‘ol sausage Bob is about any of this lot too….. Brown envelopes are being thrown about with gay abandon.
Come on IE, why do you deleate my comments for. I am not upsetting anyone ? I sometimes play the devil’s advocate, becouse otherwise this comments page would be as boring as the people posting. And just out of curiousity, who makes the decisions of what can/can’t be deleted.
You can’t blame the computer filter thing, as comment gets posted for one hour, and then deleted.
I am not moaning, as this is a good site for up to date news.
I just need educating how your system works. ( And what you class as free speech ? ). 8 comments and 2 deleted.
The council want the public to pay more money .They have wasted enough of our money on the floating bridge coming up with ideas how to get it back or is it to pay for another government party
You’ll need to fill in a form for the council to take a bowel movement soon
As a dog owner I welcome a move to control the use of fireworks.
I would suggest that shops should only sell fireworks to people who can prove they have permission from the council.
This is what you’re using NIMBY on!?!
Good riddance, it is essentially just littering with an extra step. Back yard fireworks are dull affairs, leave them to the professionals who can put on a decent show at least
Or indoor fireworks yay …well watch a little black worm grow out the table
What a joke ,,,,”Policed society” here we come …..
Lmfao, do they still sell those indoor “fireworks”
This little island is getting more and more like the old East Germany.
What with there state police (starzy?).
And there network of snoopers and curtain twitches and kill joys.
If I want to let off fireworks, I will.
It is a part of living in a democratic and free society in which we must protect.
You can’t even have a bonfire without someone throwing a fit.
It is a part of hundreds of years of history, tradition and celebration.
You are just anti social trying to disguise yourself otherwise. If put to the vote I expect most people would want safe, organised displays that were on set days. I’m fed up with fireworks being used on any day of the week, any time of year. And yes, you can have a bonfire as long as you are considerate to the people living around you.
Thank you for someone trying to do something about the bombs blasted off in the guise of enjoyment. If we have to have fireworks lets just have them on 5th November between 6 and 9pm and 31st Dec at 12pm for One hour. Some people have to much money to burn. Donate it to charities instead.
i got no problem with fireworks as such as long as they as you say Veronica they stick to designated times , the we can prepare our pets for the loud bangs and the stress it causes them ..lets hope this goes through
As a animal lover I would welcome any law to curtail these selfish numbskulls from setting off fireworks in their back yard.
No matter what you do, the kids will still get hold of them and cause a nuisance everywhere.
Not if the sales are restricted to licensed operators.
Not if their parents bring em into touch
Licence operators, not parents buying them for their kids. Fireworks shouldn’t be sold from outlets other than trade, it’s time supermarkets etc are stopped from selling loose fireworks.