If it were up to the Utrecht Board of Mayor and Aldermen (B&W), the advice of the citizens’ council on New Year’s Eve would be adopted. The advice appears to be ‘legally, practically and financially’ feasible and so the council proposes to the municipal council to adopt and implement the advice.
The Citizens’ Council, a group of 87 Utrecht residents, met a number of times in recent months to discuss what New Year’s Eve in Utrecht should look like in the future. The citizens’ council took place at the beginning of this month with an advice. A large majority appeared to be in favor of a local lighting ban and the municipality was therefore advised to ban fireworks. Instead, accessible events for residents should be organized, such as countdown moments and highlighting buildings.
‘Not enforceable’
After the citizens’ council’s advice was known, the Municipal Executive could get to work. The council now confirms that the advice is “legally, practically and financially feasible”. The council does point out that a fireworks ban is not enforceable due to “the limited capacity of the enforcement officers”. The local ban should be seen as a signal to residents and national politics. “Only when there is a national ban on fireworks can it be properly enforced.”
The local fireworks ban is laid down in the General Local Ordinance (APV). The municipality is allocating 1.3 million euros for the implementation. “The advice has not been calculated in detail and it may be that there is insufficient budget for the implementation of all advice. In that case, the municipality cannot implement all the advice. The citizens’ council has prioritized the advice. That prioritization is leading.”
Final decision
The municipal council can now decide on the advice of the citizens’ council. The council is expected to make the final decision in April. The municipality will then start implementing the advice for the coming New Year.
Tags: Utrecht council adopt advice citizens council fireworks ban
