Decision details

To consider prohibiting fireworks, sky lanterns and balloon releases on council-owned land

1)    Prohibit fireworks being used on/from South Holland District Council owned parks, open spaces and recreation facilities, unless prior express permission has been granted

2)    Prohibit sky lanterns and mass balloon releases from South Holland District Council owned parks, open spaces and recreation facilities.

3)    To ensure hire and lease agreements for Council land and facilities include this in terms and conditions where the Council has the legal entitlement to do so.

This action is being requested now, as Officers are aware of a number of private campaigns for the use of sky lanterns in conjunction with fundraising and supporting the NHS. It is also notably a time when the emergency services are pressurised dealing with the covid response and resourcing pressures.

Loud noises, that are unpredictable as is the case with fireworks, are particularly stressful for animals.  It is not just household pets that are effected by fireworks; farm animals and wildlife can also be startled and disturbed.

The release of balloons and sky lanterns in the outdoor environment poses a significant threat of harm to wildlife and livestock from ingestion, entanglement, entrapment and through the panic they can cause.

The flame within sky lanterns can also pose a fire hazard, and both are a potential source of litter and waste in our environment. The metal framework in sky lanterns has also been known to cause damage to farm machinery.

A prohibition against the release of fireworks, without specific permission, sky lanterns and mass balloon releases from Council owned parks, open spaces and recreation facilities would reinforce the Council’s commitment to the environment and encourage community action to reduce waste and littering of the natural and built environment.

This action enables the council to raise awareness of fireworks, sky lanterns and mass balloon release as an avoidable animal welfare, financial and safety issue, and prevent release of fireworks from Council land without authority.

The Council could determine to do nothing and allow unrestricted use to continue.

Internationally a number of countries including Spain, Malta and Austria have banned the use of sky lanterns.

A number of other Council’s across the country have taken the decision to ban these types of release from Council owned land.

It is deemed unlikely that there will be a national ban on fireworks, sky lanterns and balloon releases in the near future.

None.