Agenda item

Motion proposed by Councillor Orson and Councillor Freer-Jones

The Council resolves :

·           To ban the use and release of sky lanterns and helium balloons meant for release on all Council-owned public open space;

·           To discourage the release of Sky Lanterns and Helium Balloons at any events licensed by Melton Borough Council and request third parties who lease Council property to observe the ban on balloon and sky lantern releases;

·           To delegate authority  to the Director for Governance and Regulatory Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Climate, Access and Engagement to make any consequential changes to Council policies and agreements in relation to the use of Council land as a result of this motion;

·           To promote information to local people, leading to better understanding of the damage sky lanterns do

In support of the motion, Councillor Orson said

·         ‘Many organisations have drawn attention to the problem of sky lantern and balloon releases and the call to ban such releases nationally is supported by the Marine Conservation Society, RSPCA, RSPB, BASC and the National Farmers’ Union;

·         Releasing of sky lanterns may appear an impressive sight, but they can be dangerous and there is no way of predicting where they will land;

·         Some of the main dangers include:

·         Lanterns have caused fires on an industrial scale; destroying acres of crops, farm buildings and stored food supplies as well as killing or injuring farm animals;

·         Lanterns and balloons cause significant litter problems on  land and sea posing a risk to livestock and marine animals which mistake balloons for food;

·         Lanterns being mistaken for distress flares increasing false alarm call outs in coastal areas; and

·         Lanterns and balloons causing Injury or death to animals through ingestion, entanglement and entrapment.

·         Numerous UK local authorities have agreed to implement a ban on balloon and lantern releases on their land as a result of increasing concerns relating to the dangers highlighted above;

·         There is currently no UK legislation available to control this issue, but in order to demonstrate the Council’s continued commitment to improving the attractiveness of the Borough and tackling the detrimental impact of debris resulting from such releases, I propose that Council supports the following motion:’

The Council resolves :

·           To ban the use and release of sky lanterns and helium balloons meant for release on all Council-owned public open space;

·           To discourage the release of Sky Lanterns and Helium Balloons at any events licensed by Melton Borough Council and request third parties who lease Council property to observe the ban on balloon and sky lantern releases;

·           To delegate authority  to the Director for Governance and Regulatory Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Climate, Access and Engagement to make any consequential changes to Council policies and agreements in relation to the use of Council land as a result of this motion;

·           To promote information to local people, leading to better understanding of the damage sky lanterns do

Councillor Freer-Jones seconded the motion and explained that these lanterns and balloons caused nuisance and pressure on the emergency services due to false alarms and distress signals raised when they landed.

Members were in support of the motion and raised concerns as to how they could be stopped and what were the enforcement arrangements.

The Leader responded that Councils had to show leadership and place pressure on Government for legislation and  he would contact the local MP to raise the issue. The Regulatory Team would enforce the Council’s decision.   

RESOLVED

·           To ban the use and release of sky lanterns and helium balloons meant for release on all Council-owned public open space;

·           To discourage the release of Sky Lanterns and Helium Balloons at any events licensed by Melton Borough Council and request third parties who lease Council property to observe the ban on balloon and sky lantern releases;

·           To delegate authority  to the Director for Governance and Regulatory Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Climate, Access and Engagement to make any consequential changes to Council policies and agreements in relation to the use of Council land as a result of this motion;

·           To promote information to local people, leading to better understanding of the damage sky lanterns do

(Unanimous)

(Although not present at the meeting, it was requested that Councillor Hewson’s support for the motion be reported in the minutes.)