14 Nov 2024
A bid to impose noise restrictions at fireworks displays on SADC-owned land has been thrown out by councillors.
A motion proposed by the Labour group in partnership with the RSPCA, wanted to ensure fireworks louder than 90dB would no longer be permitted on animal welfare grounds.
This would have dampened the noise at the Fireworks Spectacular in Verulamium Park, which was established by the Cathedral in the 1980s in response to the dangers posed by private displays and concerns expressed by the emergency services.
Cllr Mike Hobday, who put forward the motion, explained: “Britain is a nation of animal lovers, Yet every Bonfire Night, we expose animals – including pet cats and dogs, and horses grazing in neighbouring fields – to extraordinary levels of noise. Scientific studies have shown that animals exhibit fear in response to fireworks and we know that they can have severe psychological effects on people, especially individuals with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), including military veterans, who may be triggered by the loud noises. Vulnerable children with sensory sensitivities may also find public firework displays distressing.”
Speaking at this week’s meeting of the public realm committee, he quoted from the council’s own Community News publication which stated: “Loud bangs and flashes may be upsetting for some people such those who are neurodiverse, have anxiety or have experienced trauma. They can also terrify many animals including dogs, cats, horses and farm animals.”
The Cathedral organisers had said sound restrictions would result in a less spectacular display, lower attendance and ‘could well make the event unviable’. The motion, if passed, would have resulted in either a change to a non-council site, rendering the motion meaningless, or the end of the event altogether, the organisers said.
But Lib Dem councillors on the committee voted overwhelmingly to reject the motion.
Lead councillor for events, Cllr Anthony Rowlands, said: “Most people I have spoken to feel that the Labour motion was ill-considered and short-sighted. The Cathedral authorities, supported by literally hundreds of volunteers, have provided generations of Albanians with a safe and memorable display to remember, an event which also raises thousands of pounds for hard-pressed local charities.”
Cllr Chris Brattle, who represents Bernards Heath, said: ”We feel that we need to strike a balance between a hugely popular and beloved local event and the understandable concerns of pet owners and vulnerable people. A well-planned and tightly managed 18-minute event strikes that balance.
“Our real worry is that curtailing this display could unleash a marked increase in the number of unscheduled private displays which would undoubtedly do more harm and cause more distress for the people and animals this motion purports to protect.”
Cllr Joanna Meaden, Clarence ward, added: “Firework season can be an anxiety-inducing and scary time for a number of our residents. For families like my own who have members who find it a very difficult time, large public displays provide structure as to when and where fireworks are happening, so we can take steps to mitigate the impact.
“It is regrettable and surprising that the Labour councillor did not consider our wider community and could not acknowledge his motion would lead to the proliferation of random displays and make this time of the year a lot worse for many of our residents.”
Back in September 2020 the council resolved to write to the Government urging them to introduce legislation to limit the maximum noise level of fireworks to 90dB for those sold to the public for private displays, and to encourage local suppliers of fireworks to stock ‘quieter’ fireworks for public display.
Cllr Hobday said after the meeting: “Four years ago, the Liberal Democrats were presenting themselves as the champions of quieter fireworks. Now, every single Liberal Democrat voted against quieter fireworks on council owned land. It really seemed a case of ‘everyone else should have quieter fireworks, but we’ll carry on regardless’.”
The Reverend Will Gibbs, canon for mission and pastoral care at St Albans Cathedral said in response to the motion: ‘”Over the past 40-plus years, the Fireworks Spectacular in Verulamium Park has raised nearly £1 million for local charities. As a Cathedral, we are committed to delivering a safe and enjoyable experience for the thousands who look forward to the display each year.”
