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WQ.13/2019
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS BY DEPUTY R.J. WARD OF ST. HELIER
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 15th JANUARY 2019
Question
Further to the Minister's response to an e-petition calling for fireworks to be sold or supplied only for licensed displays, will he explain what consideration, if any, has been given to the following policy positions in the development of Pyrotechnic Articles Regulations?
- Allowing the sale of Quiet fireworks' only;
- Limiting the size of fireworks available for sale to the general public to a maximum of Category 2;
- Allowing only professional fireworks displays to be permitted and policed; and
- Allowing only fixed dates on which fireworks displays can be carried out.
Answer
The amendment to the Explosives (Jersey) Law 2014, which would allow for Pyrotechnic Articles Regulations to be proposed in due course, will be lodged again imminently (having previously been lodged as P.38/2018).
As part of the policy development process, an early draft of some possible Pyrotechnic Articles Regulations has been produced. This draft has formed the basis of initial discussions with, for example, the Comité des Connétable s. In addition, and as part of developing and agreeing a response to the e- petition, I was briefed on some considerations that were put forward by the States Veterinary Officer and the Director of Environmental Health. The development of the proposed Pyrotechnic Articles Regulations is ongoing. Discussions on all relevant policy matters will continue in the coming months and be extended to include other relevant and interested public bodies, businesses and individuals (including the Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel).
With regard to consideration given to date on the specific policy positions mentioned:
- Discussions have focused on identifying an overarching policy position that both responds to concerns raised about noise and disturbance created through the use of fireworks and also enables people to celebrate events and occasions in the manner that they would wish. The use and sale of quiet' fireworks has therefore been considered, and a compromise position is being sought.
- Consideration has been given to categories of fireworks and their availability to both the public and professional display organisers. A final decision on any restrictions to be proposed in the draft Regulations will be made following further research.
- Consideration has been given to requiring all public displays to be licenced by the Connétable of the Parish in which the display is to take place. The organisers of a public display would be required to provide the Connétable with specified information, including the categories of fireworks to be used and a written risk assessment and environmental impact statement, before a licence can be granted. It is anticipated that the Connétable would liaise with the full Comité des Connétable s as part of the licensing process, in order to ensure neighbouring Parishes are informed.
In the first instance, there is a need to clearly define the distinction between a public and private display. Advice in this regard is being sought at present.
- Consideration has been given to preventing fireworks from being used at certain times of the day (current thinking in this regard is between 11pm and 7am). Exemptions would be made for certain occasions including Bonfire Night and New Year's Eve. As part of general policy discussions, the possibility of preventing fireworks from being used during certain periods of the year has also been mentioned.