Issue - meetings

The Executive Member will consider a report which sets out the considerations and makes recommendations on an approach to restrict the use of sky lanterns on City of York Council owned/controlled property.

Resolved: That approval be given to the policy statement included in paragraph 17 of the report and that officers be requested take forward the necessary actions to implement it.

Reason:     To reduce the environmental risks of sky lanterns within York and its surrounding area.

The Executive Member considered a report setting out the proposal for the ban on releasing of sky lanterns on City of York Council owned/controlled property. The Head of Corporate Policy and City Partnerships outlined the report, detailing the rationale for the policy statement included at paragraph 17 of the report:

“City of York Council has banned the release of sky lanterns from its land.

We are committed to encouraging businesses, communities, landowners, schools, residential homes and individuals to switch to alternative ways of celebrating and commemorating events.

City of York Council has pledged to:

·        Promote the restriction of the release of sky lantern on property and land owned by the Council. This includes those that are made from bamboo or claim to be biodegradable.

·        Ask all Parish and Town Councils within York to ban the release of sky lanterns on Parish or Town Council land.

·        Incorporate the ban into all future residential tenancy and land lease agreements.

·        Ban the use of sky lanterns in any council-approved events.

·        Proactively engage with businesses, landowners, schools, residential homes, council tenants, social housing providers, charities and community groups, to raise awareness of safer and more environmentally friendly alternatives that people can celebrate with, through promotion and campaigns. “

He explained the environmental and health and safety risks posed by the release of sky lanterns. The Executive Member welcomed the policy statement, then;

Resolved: That approval be given to the policy statement included in paragraph 17 of the report and that officers be requested take forward the necessary actions to implement it.

Reason:     To reduce the environmental risks of sky lanterns within York and its surrounding area.