Caerphilly County Borough Council has joined three other councils in backing an RSPCA campaign calling for the maximum noise level of fireworks to be reduced to ease the negative impact on animals.

The motion brought to full council last night (March 3) called for the council to ask the Welsh and UK governments to place restrictions on fireworks, in order to protect animals.

Following the motion being passed, the council will now write to Welsh Government and urge them to mitigate any negative impacts on animals and vulnerable people of the hosting of firework displays.

They will also write to the UK government to urge them to introduce legislation to limit the maximum noise level of fireworks to 90 decibels for those sold to the public for private displays.

Cllr Nigel Dix, who presented the motion to the full council, said: “So far three local authorities have backed the RSPCA campaign.

“They are Wrexham, Neath Port Talbot and Rhondda Cynon Taf, with two of these councils committing to a public awareness campaign to highlight the negative impact loud fireworks have on domestic and wild animals.”

Cllr Ann Gair asked for three further recommendations to be added, which included the requirement for public firework displayed on council-owned land to be advertised in advance so precautions could be taken, to actively promote a public awareness campaign and to encourage local suppliers to stock quieter fireworks.

All three recommendations were approved by councillors.

RSPCA’s Lewis Clark said: “We’re delighted that councillors in Caerphilly have voted to make a difference to animals across the local authority. 

“We receive so many calls related to welfare concerns for animals connected to fireworks, so for local authorities across Wales like Caerphilly to introduce measures to mitigate risks to animals is so important for animal welfare.”