Agenda item

Banning the release of Balloons and Sky Lanterns on land owned by Doncaster Council

“Many organisations have drawn attention to the problem of sky lantern and balloon releases and the call to ban such releases nationally is supported by the Marine Conservation Society, RSPCA, RSPB, BASC and the National Farmers’ Union.

Releasing of sky lanterns may appear an impressive sight, but they can be dangerous and there is no way of predicting where they will land.

Some of the main dangers include:-

·      Lanterns have caused fires on an industrial scale; destroying acres of crops, farm buildings and stored food supplies as well as killing or injuring farm animals;

·      Lanterns and balloons cause significant litter problems on land and in our rivers, posing a risk to livestock and marine animals which mistake balloons for food;

·      Lanterns and balloons causing Injury or death to animals through ingestion, entanglement and entrapment.

Numerous UK local authorities have agreed to implement a ban on balloon and lantern releases on their land as a result of increasing concerns relating to the dangers highlighted above.

There is currently no national UK legislation available to control this issue, but in order to demonstrate the Council’s continued commitment to improving the attractiveness of the Borough and tackling the detrimental impact of debris resulting from such releases, I propose that Council supports the following motion.

That Doncaster Council resolves:-

·      To ban the release of sky lanterns and balloons on all Council-owned land and public open space;

·      To discourage the release of Sky Lanterns and Balloons at any events licensed by Doncaster Council and ensure any third parties who lease Council property observe the ban on balloon and sky lantern releases;

·      To delegate authority to the Director for Economy and Environment, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Enforcement to make any consequential changes to Council policies and agreements in relation to the use of Council land as a result of this motion;

·      To promote information to local people, leading to better understanding of the damage balloons and sky lanterns have on our environment.”

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.1, a Motion was submitted by Councillor Majid Khan and Seconded by Councillor Sarah Smith:-

Banning the release of Balloons and Sky Lanterns on land owned by Doncaster Council

“Many organisations have drawn attention to the problem of sky lantern and balloon releases and the call to ban such releases nationally is supported by the Marine Conservation Society, RSPCA, RSPB, BASC and the National Farmers’ Union.

Releasing of sky lanterns may appear an impressive sight, but they can be dangerous and there is no way of predicting where they will land.

Some of the main dangers include:-

·      Lanterns have caused fires on an industrial scale; destroying acres of crops, farm buildings and stored food supplies as well as killing or injuring farm animals;

·      Lanterns and balloons cause significant litter problems on land and in our rivers, posing a risk to livestock and marine animals which mistake balloons for food; and

·      Lanterns and balloons causing injury or death to animals through ingestion, entanglement and entrapment.

Numerous UK local authorities have agreed to implement a ban on balloon and lantern releases on their land as a result of increasing concerns relating to the dangers highlighted above.

There is currently no national UK legislation available to control this issue, but in order to demonstrate the Council’s continued commitment to improving the attractiveness of the Borough and tackling the detrimental impact of debris resulting from such releases, I propose that Council supports the following Motion.

That Doncaster Council resolves:-

·      To ban the release of sky lanterns and balloons on all Council-owned land and public open space;

·      To discourage the release of Sky Lanterns and Balloons at any events licensed by Doncaster Council and ensure any third parties who lease Council property observe the ban on balloon and sky lantern releases;

·      To delegate authority to the Director for Economy and Environment, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Enforcement to make any consequential changes to Council policies and agreements in relation to the use of Council land as a result of this motion; and

·      To promote information to local people, leading to better understanding of the damage balloons and sky lanterns have on our environment.”

Following the Chair affording Members in the Chamber the opportunity to speak on the Motion, a vote was taken on the Motion which was declared as follows:-

For - 39

Against - 1

Abstain - 6

On being put to the meeting, the Motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED that Doncaster Council notes that:-

Many organisations have drawn attention to the problem of sky lantern and balloon releases and the call to ban such releases nationally is supported by the Marine Conservation Society, RSPCA, RSPB, BASC and the National Farmers’ Union.

Releasing of sky lanterns may appear an impressive sight, but they can be dangerous and there is no way of predicting where they will land.

Some of the main dangers include:-

·         Lanterns have caused fires on an industrial scale; destroying acres of crops, farm buildings and stored food supplies as well as killing or injuring farm animals;

·         Lanterns and balloons cause significant litter problems on land and in our rivers, posing a risk to livestock and marine animals which mistake balloons for food; and

·         Lanterns and balloons causing injury or death to animals through ingestion, entanglement and entrapment.

Numerous UK local authorities have agreed to implement a ban on balloon and lantern releases on their land as a result of increasing concerns relating to the dangers highlighted above.

There is currently no national UK legislation available to control this issue, but in order to demonstrate the Council’s continued commitment to improving the attractiveness of the Borough and tackling the detrimental impact of debris resulting from such releases, I propose that Council supports the following motion.

Doncaster Council resolved:-

·         To ban the release of sky lanterns and balloons on all Council-owned land and public open space;

·         To discourage the release of Sky Lanterns and Balloons at any events licensed by Doncaster Council and ensure any third parties who lease Council property observe the ban on balloon and sky lantern releases;

·         To delegate authority to the Director for Economy and Environment, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Enforcement to make any consequential changes to Council policies and agreements in relation to the use of Council land as a result of this motion; and

·         To promote information to local people, leading to better understanding of the damage balloons and sky lanterns have on our environment.