A plan to bring back a free fireworks display in Glasgow is gaining momentum as city councillors consider investing £100,000 into the project. The last event took place in 2019 at Glasgow Green, and now Scottish Greens politicians are advocating for the use of common good funding to revive the November tradition.
At a recent meeting, Councillor Jon Molyneux proposed an amendment to allocate approximately £100,000 to support the public display. This proposal received unanimous approval from all local politicians on the city administration committee, including Treasurer Ricky Bell, who expressed his support for the initiative.
Councillor Molyneux highlighted the importance of utilizing Common Good Funds to bring back a civic fireworks display, emphasizing the safety benefits of public events organized by local authorities. He also mentioned the potential implementation of a city-wide fireworks control zone in Glasgow, following a recent consultation on the matter.
“We know that the fire service wants to see more people attending public displays because they are far safer,” said Councillor Molyneux. “Many other councils use their Common Good Funds to pay for local displays, and it’s time for Glasgow to explore similar opportunities to benefit more citizens.”
In response to the proposal, SNP Councillor Bell expressed his approval, stating, “I think it is a good opportunity for us to review what we are doing and be confident that we are using this fund in the best way for the benefit of as many Glaswegians as we can.”
During the discussion, Labour Councillor Robert Mooney raised concerns about the fund’s ability to cover events at Christmas and Bonfire night annually. Councillor Bell clarified that the current fund balance is around £400,000, with the proposed amendment aiming to set aside £100,000 specifically for fireworks displays.
While Councillor Bell emphasized that the proposal pertains only to fireworks displays and not Christmas events, Councillor Molyneux suggested exploring the possibility of hosting local neighborhood events as well to maximize community engagement.
The conversation took place as the committee finalized the common good budget for 2025 to 2026, underlining the city’s commitment to enhancing public celebrations and fostering community spirit through initiatives like the fireworks display.
