This debate is the follow up on a couple of debates (Third Theme debate: Fireworks, understandable language in policy making and no more Russian Gas, Fifth Theme debate: New year’s eve 22-23 and public toilets and a passed motion Motion passed: the inevitable end of consumer fireworks in Zwolle, be it a bit late) In this debate the Mayor asked the city council to choose from a couple of scenarios to shape the policy surrounding consumer fireworks and the new tradition the city council would like to shape together with the people of Zwolle.
Below you can read our statement or watch the debate (in Dutch).
Statement:
Chairperson,
Let me begin with the most important point. GroenLinks still stands behind the motion that was adopted earlier. As far as we are concerned, that means a ban on consumer fireworks in Zwolle and investing in a new tradition together with our residents. The municipality contributes to this financially and residents can submit and implement ideas for this together with their community, neighborhood or street.
I want to start by saying that I thought it was a particularly good participation report. A great test case for Hanza. A sensitive topic that also proved to be sensitive with partners in the city. It’s nice to see that the organization included us so much in the process and included our residents when it came to anwsering the question. The lessons learned are valuable for other sensitive topics in society where we as an organization ask for input from the city in the future.
GroenLinks is satisfied with the returns and would like to take the next step. That is why we prefer a mix of the building blocks mentioned in the paper. GroenLinks would like to see a ban on consumer fireworks combined with funding for residents’ initiatives (option 2) as early as next year. But since the participation also shows the desire for a central event and a possible candidate for organizing has come forward, we would also like to see if a central event is possible (partly option 4).
As far as we are concerned, that central event is preferably also human- and animal-friendly, so for example a drone or laser show, a central countdownmoment etc. But as I have also indicated in previous debates, GroenLinks (albeit somewhat less enthusiastically) is also open to a central fireworks show.
Chairperson, I hope that we as a council do not have to speak out again for a local ban on consumer fireworks; it is clear what the majority of the Netherlands wants and this council feels the same way. Let us send a clear signal to The Hague, limit damage to people, animals, emergency workers and the environment and start a beautiful new tradition together. Thank you.
Credits:
Image used at top of blog is: Fireworks by Praphulm and is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0