CALLS to take a tougher stance on anti-social firework use have been supported by Calderdale Council.

Calderdale Liberal Democrats tabled a motion to discuss how to minimise negative effects on animals and some vulnerable people, and received backing from all sides of the chamber at a recent meeting.

Proposing the motion, which was carried by Calderdale Council, Coun Ashley Evans (Lib Dem, Warley) said: “I’m not a killjoy but I’m sure ward councillors have been contacted by residents about animals and anti-social behaviour, the effect on community cohesion. Fireworks seem to be set off all year round, at all times of day and night. I want to say most people behave reasonably with fireworks but we need to find a way to tackle the minority who cause upset in their local community.”

The proposals also look to encourage people to go to public displays rather than setting them off themselves and seek to tackle the issue of under age people buying fireworks. Any legislative changes to minimise impact should be pursued.

Public asked for say on fireworks by Bradford Council

Coun Evans suggested a number of actions the council should include in the report, adding that it should not necessarily be limited to them.

These include applying the “Challenge 25” approach which encourages anyone who is over 18 but under 25 to carry acceptable ID when they want to but alcohol to fireworks, with the aim of seeing fewer young people injured by fireworks.

Liberal Democrat Group Leader Coun James Baker (Warley) said the council could explore what powers might be available, for example under anti-social behaviour legislation. Enforcement and education would both be important, he said.

“Lots of things are fun but unfortunately in a lot of Halifax that balance has tipped so that they are causing more harm to people than pleasure,” said Coun Baker.

Coun Bob Metcalfe (Lab, Town) supported the proposals as a “sensible approach” and recalled in the past on Bonfire Night the bonfire itself was more important than the fireworks.

Coun Faisal Shoukat (Lab, Park) agreed and said the Council of Mosques had done good work with regard to speaking to people about how they were being used at celebrations.

The meeting had heard Bradford Council was already exploring the issue and Coun Mike Barnes (Lab, Skircoat) suggested the council could see what the neighbouring authority had come up with so research was not duplicated.

Cabinet member for Public Services and Communities, Coun Susan Press (Lab, Todmorden) said the council would be liaising with Community Safety Partnership chief Derek Benn to see what was being done.

Coun John Hardy (Con, Skircoat) recalled his days as a newsagent when sale of fireworks was tightly controlled – there was only a 21-day period when you could set fireworks off – and it might be worth inquiring what licensing was applied today.

Coun Sue Holdsworth (Lib Dem, Greetland and Stainland) said one problem which incidents posed was that they were let off by individuals. “How do you catch them?” she said.

Bradford Council has also recently began a review to look into the impact of firework use and how to tackle it.

The Council said the key lines of enquiry for the scrutiny review would be:

• review the licensing requirements and other regulations around fireworks

• explore improved prevention and enforcement activities

• consider the sale and distribution of fireworks across Bradford

• examine the use of fireworks around Bonfire Night and at religious and family occasions

• scrutinise the inappropriate use of fireworks, including the impact upon residents, pets and other animals

• analyse the impact of the use of fireworks upon noise, air pollution, cleansing and emergency planning.