A newly Labour managed council has cancelled all its christmas lights resulting from a ‘difficult monetary state of affairs’.
Medway Council in Kent stated it made the ‘unhappy and tough resolution’, which it claims will save £75,000, in a bid to scale back a possible £17million overspend for this monetary yr.
The council, which went from Conservative to Labour on this yr’s Might basic election, is ‘very seemingly’ to go bankrupt, based on a monetary report launched final month.
Council chief Vince Maple stated he had ‘no selection however to make these powerful selections’ which have sparked a livid backlash amongst native residents.
Medway Council introduced the information on X, previously Twitter, with individuals slamming the ‘stunning’ resolution which might ‘cancel Christmas’ for a lot of kids.
A newly Labour managed council has cancelled all its christmas lights resulting from a ‘difficult monetary state of affairs’ (Pictured: Rochester Christmas Market)
Medway Council chief Vince Maple (pictured alongside Keir Starmer earlier this yr) stated he made the ‘unhappy and tough resolution’, which he claims will save £75,000
Medway Council in Kent stated it made the ‘unhappy and tough resolution’, which it claims will save £75,000, in a bid to scale back a possible £17million overspend for this monetary yr
The council posted an replace on X yesterday saying: ‘Sadly we now have needed to make the tough resolution to not have Christmas lights throughout Medway or maintain switch-on occasions this yr.
‘With the continuing monetary state of affairs we have to make powerful selections & it will save £75,000.’
The choice brought about fury amongst native residents who took intention the council’s ‘poor monetary administration’ and highlighted different areas the place cash may very well be saved as an alternative.
One consumer spoke out in opposition to the choice saying: ‘Disgraceful, however clearly your elevated councillors expense allowance remains to be taking place!’
One other consumer, Maria, added: ‘How a lot of that £75okay is for paying overestimated contractors to place them up?
‘Fairly than cancelling Christmas for the numerous youngsters who solely see the magic outdoors of their dwelling. how about discovering a technique to scale back the value or asking native companies to donate their tools to assist.’
Holly argued: ‘When you didn’t waste your cash placing in pointless cycle lanes and footpaths that isn’t essential then possibly you’ll have the cash for some Christmas lights and wouldn’t be on this mess!’
Starmer pictured with Mr Maple in Chatham in the place Labour took general management of Medway Council for the primary time since 1998 after successful 30 of its 59 seats within the native elections
Mr Maple stated: ‘We’re making these extremely tough selections to scale back the potential overspend and to make sure we are able to proceed to supply important providers that we’re required to supply by regulation.
‘There’s nonetheless a lot for all our residents to take pleasure in within the run as much as Christmas this yr.
‘I’m happy native ward councillors are nonetheless capable of fund a Christmas tree in every city.
‘We are going to proceed to work carefully with our city centre companies to discover additional methods to help them this Christmas.
‘We’re additionally exploring public transport help in December to make it simpler to get to our city centres and excessive streets.’
Mr Marple stated that Rochester’s Christmas Market and it’s Dickensian Christmas Pageant, which magnetize hundreds of individuals yearly, will go forward as deliberate.
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