A COUNCIL is seeking to ask for all public firework displays to be advertised in advance, while encouraging suppliers to stock ‘climate-friendly’ fireworks.

West Oxfordshire District Council’s (WODC) full meeting yesterday found in favour of the motion, which was carried.

The motion looks to ask for all public firework displays within the local authority boundaries to be advertised in advance, allowing residents to take precautions for animals and vulnerable people.

Furthermore, local suppliers are to be encouraged to stock climate-friendly and ‘quieter’ fireworks for public display.

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Meanwhile, a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people will be promoted.

The motion was initially proposed and seconded at a full council meeting on February 26.

Despite some criticism of the motion yesterday, in particular from Andy Graham – the leader of the Liberal Democrat group – who said the motion was ‘only skirting on the edge of the issue’, the motion was carried.

Suzi Coul, the new cabinet member for health and leisure, who seconded the motion, said: “We’re a district council, there’s only so much we can do and this is the best we can do.”

Liz Leffman added: “Unless it’s illegal to let off fireworks, there’s little we can do.”

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With regards to climate-friendly fireworks, Rosa Bolger said: “People enjoy fireworks and will use them, however, we should be making them safer, and doing as much as possible to alert people with animals and livestock.

“For me, it’s about a balance of people having fun but thinking about the environment around us.”

Such fireworks tend to have a clean burning, nitrogen-based fuel.

WODC resolved to work with town and parish councils on the matter.