Restrictions on the sale of fireworks would be warmly welcomed in West Lothian.
Council bosses responded to a Holyrood consultation on the sale and misuse of fireworks.
West Lothian Council’s submission agreed with the proposal to introduce a licensing system around the sale of fireworks and supported suggestions around the potential restriction of when fireworks could be sold to the public.
Members of the West Lothian Council Executive expressed their concerns on the impact that the misuse of fireworks has on animals.
It states that the council, in principle supports that the use of fireworks should be restricted to certain dates of the year and goes on to say that this may help reduce the misuse of fireworks and could additionally help individuals for whom fireworks cause fear and anxiety.
The full response from the council was presented at a meeting of the council Executive with the response being subsequently approved by committee members.
This is the second consultation from Scottish Government regarding fireworks in Scotland.
This time it sought views from the public and stakeholders on the introduction of four specific requirements in relation to the sale and use of fireworks in Scotland.
These were requiring the general public and community groups to meet a number of mandatory conditions before they are able to purchase fireworks, restricting the days fireworks can be sold and set off by the general public, introducing no-fireworks areas where it is not permitted for the general public to set fireworks off and introducing a proxy purchasing offence to criminalise the supply of fireworks to people under the age of 18.
Executive councillor for services for the community, George Paul, said the council was keen to join the consultation. He said: “The council welcomes the opportunity to provide a response to the Scottish Government consultation on use and sale of fireworks in Scotland and recognise that the measures proposed should have a positive impact on community safety in West Lothian.”
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