The Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022 gives councils a new discretionary power to introduce Firework Control Zones.
On 22 June 2023, the Scottish Government issued Guidance on Firework Control Zones for Local Authorities.
We will oversee the process which will facilitate the designation of any Firework Control Zones (FCZ) within Fife.
The introduction of these new measures are not intended to cover the whole local authority area as a FCZ and are part of a number of measures to tackle firework issues.
What is a FCZ
A firework control zone is not meant to solve all firework problems. It will only be used if other measures haven't worked. If we, along with our local partners, think a control zone is needed in a certain area and time, it will be used along with other solutions for the best results. Once a zone is approved, Police Scotland will be responsible for enforcing the rules during that time.
It's a criminal offence for a member of the public to ignite a firework within a FCZ. This includes private property, such as a garden.
It's also an offence to fire a firework into the boundaries of a zone, or to knowingly or recklessly throw or cast a lit firework into a zone.
However, there are some exemptions to this, which include:
- Category F1 fireworks - these are classed as 'indoor fireworks' such as sparklers
- Public organised displays, subject to local licencing
If you need to report individual issues related to fireworks and noise you can report antisocial behaviour online or call the police on 101 if the incident is happening right now.
Criteria
A firework control zone may be considered for the following reasons:
- misuse of fireworks and anti-social behaviour involving fireworks
- injuries from fireworks
- animal welfare concerns
- the impact of fireworks on vulnerable groups of people
- environmental protection
A request cannot be made by an individual. Applications for consideration of a FCZ can only be submitted by:
- A community of residents (25 signatures required) or
- A Community Council
When making a request, a lead applicant must be appointed. We will only notify the lead applicant on the progress and outcome of the submitted request.
The community request application form will require information on:
- The reasons for the proposed new FCZ, or for amending or revoking an existing zone.
- The boundaries of the zone.
- The start and end dates required for the zone to take effect.
We will work with Police Scotland and other partners to help determine whether a firework control zone is the best approach. We will use the Scottish Government's guidance on firework control zones.
How to apply
A community request for a FCZ can be considered only on completion and submission of the Fife Council FCZ Community Request Form below.
If you wish to clarify anything before you submit the form, contact us at fcz@fife.gov.uk.
As a community of residents, you will need 25 supporting signatures:
- Names and addresses must be provided for all supporting applicants.
- Supporting applicants may be contacted by us in relation to the application.
- Supporting applicants must be residents of the area which the FCZ is being proposed.
Applications that do not provide details of all 25 supporting applicants will not be processed.
All applications must provide appropriate supporting evidence of the criteria indicated on the application form.
If the request is taken forward, the process will require a wider consultation in line with the legislation
Timescales
Below are the timescales for the process after submission of a properly completed form.
Please note if the form is not completed properly, it will be returned, and the process timescales will begin when re-submitted.
| Stage | Timescale |
|---|---|
| Application form received | Acknowledge within 5 working days |
| Application form received, considered, and response issued | 4 weeks |
| If application is accepted, development of a consultation proposal for a zone | 4 weeks |
| Consultation on proposed zone undertaken | 12 weeks |
| Consultation response considered and analysed | 4 weeks |
| Decision on zone publicised | At least 60 days prior to decision taking effect |
| Total | 32 weeks |
Review process
If the request is denied at the application stage, we will tell you why. You will then have 28 days to request a review of the decision by providing reasoning along with an updated request to fcz@fife.gov.uk
If a request is denied, any other requests that cover the same or similar geographical area cannot be made within 12 months.
