Firework Review Group: report to the Scottish Government

Annex A Remit of Review Group

The 'Fireworks Action Plan: Promoting the Safe and Appropriate Use of Fireworks in Scotland' committed to establishing a Firework Review Group to provide recommendations to Scottish Ministers on tightening devolved legislation on fireworks in Scotland.

The Group will consider the feasibility of available options within current devolved legislation, and present recommendations for change. Legislation on where and when fireworks can be used is devolved to Scottish Ministers; and there are some options available on the sale of fireworks. The Group will fully consider all of these options with the aim of making a series of evidence-based recommendations to Scottish Ministers in October 2020 to ensure fireworks are used safely and handled with care, and do not cause harm, distress or serious injury.

The work of the Group will progress in parallel with on-going discussions with the UK Government regarding the legislation governing the sale of fireworks in Scotland.

Purpose

The purpose of the Firework Review Group is to present recommendations and advice to Scottish Ministers, both by request and proactively, on appropriate moves to tighten the devolved legislation on fireworks in Scotland.

Remit

To achieve this purpose, the remit of the Group is to:

• Use evidence from a number of sources, and draw on the knowledge and experiences of group members, to provide evidence-based recommendations to Scottish Ministers.
• Consider, and where appropriate draw on, international legislation and regulation to identify examples of practice that may be appropriate to apply in Scotland.
• Specifically advise on options identified including, but not limited to the introduction of:
  • Restrictions on the use of fireworks on private property.
  • Tighter dates and times when fireworks can be set off.
  • A notification system before fireworks can be used.
  • 'No firework' areas or zones.
  • Restrictions on the times fireworks can be sold.
  • Mandatory conditions at point of sale.
• Recommend a timetable to implement change, and any further steps or considerations to be explored.

Timing

The Group will operate for a period extended to 11 months, starting in December 2019. The Group will meet up to 8 times during this period, and it is anticipated work will be progressed outwith formal meetings of the group. Any matters which need to be decided on outwith the schedule of meetings may be dealt with by correspondence.

The amended schedule of meetings is as follows:

1. Thursday 5 December 2019, 10:30 to 12:30.
2. Thursday 16 January 2020, 10.00 to 14:00
3. Thursday 5 March 2020, 13.30 to 16.00.
4. Thursday 13^th August, 10:00 to 13:00
5. Thursday 27^th August, 10:00 to 13:00
6. Thursday 17^th September, 10:00 to 13:00
7. Thursday 8^th October, 10:00 to 13:00
8. Thursday 29^th October, 10:00 to 13:00