A final push for “no fireworks zones” to be implemented in Glasgow before November 2023 will be made later this week to prevent firework misuse.
Preparations for the new zones are underway as the city council waits for its new legislative powers to be bestowed by the Scottish Government.
It comes after recent legislation, set to introduce tighter controls on the sale and use of fireworks in Scotland with the local authority able to designate certain areas as “no firework zones”, was passed by parliament.
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Glasgow City Council is currently awaiting further direction from Scottish Ministers as the new rules, which will include a licensing scheme to limit who is able to buy fireworks, are yet to come into effect.
Police Scotland have also confirmed that new regulations are in place relating to the hours during which fireworks can be both sold and set off, and the amount of fireworks which can be purchased in one transaction.
A motion on the introduction of the no fireworks zone is being brought before full council this Thursday by councillor Jon Molyneux.
Speaking ahead of Thursday’s meeting, he said: “When people deliberately misuse fireworks, setting them off in the street or aiming them at people and property, that understandably causes real worry in communities and it can also have very serious consequences.
“I think this is a serious issue. It's raised with me regularly by my constituents in Pollokshields and I know it's an issue in other parts of the city too. It also places a real strain on the emergency services and on council resources.
"There is new legislation which has been won by communities like Pollokshields who have campaigned on this issue. I think it's important that we have those new powers available to us as soon as we possibly can.”
The motion argues that the full range of new powers should be available to the council and other agencies by November 2023 at the latest to address ongoing concerns about firework misuse.
Councillor Molyneux added: “The new powers include a licensing scheme which will limit who is able to buy fireworks. There are also powers for the council to designate areas as 'no fireworks zones'.
“While we don't yet know the details from the Scottish Government of how they expect these powers to work, I hope we can start to prepare now by understanding where they could be used.
“I think that where a community expresses a strong wish to have these powers used, and there's evidence they are needed, then we should consider that very seriously.
"My motion also recognises that we can prevent fireworks misuse by providing more local opportunities, particularly for young people. There are some good examples of youth work programmes in Pollokshields and other parts of the city, but they are not funded sustainably. It's important that we continue to focus efforts on that as well as how we could use these new powers most effectively."
Members will also be asked to agree that the chief executive liaise with partner agencies including Police Scotland to analyse data which could inform the potential use of new legal powers, and identify which areas of the city could be considered as priorities for designation as no fireworks zones.
Superintendent Emma Croft said: “Bonfire night is one of the most demanding and challenging periods of the year for policing and other emergency services.
“In line with previous years, planning and engagement has been well under way with our partners to help ensure the safety of Greater Glasgow’s communities.
“New regulations are in place relating to the hours during which fireworks can be both sold and set off, and the amount of fireworks which can be purchased in one transaction. This is a change to national legislation to address anti-social use of fireworks and to ensure communities feel safe.
“There are no plans in place to designate any area of Greater Glasgow as a dispersal zone.
“We would ask those planning on using fireworks to do so safely and to be considerate of others.”
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