Agenda

(a)  Question from Mr Patrick Cawkwell to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

“Does the Mayor agree that during a cost of living crisis it’s unthinkable for the government to plan the removal of 200 of their own staff from Doncaster City Centre?  The high skill economy the government wants has every right to be in Doncaster as it does anywhere else; the 200 people the government want to move contribute circa £500,000 p/a to the city centre economy.  Is it unthinkable or don’t the government know the true impact on the economy of this disastrous decision?”

For Decision

“Traditionally, annual bonfires and firework displays are used to celebrate November the 5th, New Year’s Eve, Diwali, and Chinese New year amongst other celebratory occasions.

We now see a considerably larger use of fireworks throughout the year, causing distress to Veterans suffering from PTSD, vulnerable people, children with learning difficulties, working dogs and guide dogs, farm animals and family pets.  We also see Anti-Social behaviour within our communities with people setting off fireworks in a dangerous manner and sometimes using them as weapons.

This Council resolves from 2023:-

• To ensure all firework displays on Council land organised by Doncaster Council or its partners utilise low noise or silent fireworks as a positive alternative.

• To encourage people to attend professional organised displays, where fireworks are set off in the safest possible way and fully insured.

• To encourage early advertisement of planned firework displays to enable communities to allow individuals and groups to take precautions in respect of vulnerable people, veterans, animals and pets.

• To actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare, veterans and vulnerable people, including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risk.

• To write to the UK Government insisting that they introduce legislation to promote the sale of low noise or silent fireworks and enter into a major public awareness campaign around the effects of fireworks and noise on people and animals.

• To support and encourage the use and sale of noiseless and silent fireworks within Doncaster City.

• To encourage Town and Parish Councils in the Doncaster City to consider using low noise or silent fireworks as a positive alternative.

• To encourage local suppliers of fireworks in Doncaster to stock and sell low noise or silent fireworks as a positive alternative.”

(i)        Questions on Notice to the Executive:-

None received for this meeting.

(ii)          Questions without Notice to the Executive and the Chairs of Committees.

For Information and Not Endorsement

A.        South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Board held on 25th July, 2022.

B.      South Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership Board held on 7th July, 2022.

C.      South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority held on 20th June (Annual) and 20th June (Ordinary), 2022.

D.      South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel held on 6th June, 2022.