Plans to consider restoring overnight street lighting in Skegness have taken a significant step forward after councillors agreed in principle that the lights should be switched back on – but only after residents are formally consulted.

The issue was discussed at a full Skegness Town Council meeting, where councillors considered a detailed report setting out the costs and options for reinstating overnight lighting nearly a decade after it was switched off across the resort.

Lincolnshire County Council introduced its controversial part-night lighting scheme in 2016, with around 42,000 streetlights across the county programmed to switch off between midnight and 6am in a cost-saving measure. Skegness was included in the final phase of the rollout in early 2017.

Town clerk Steve Larner’s report outlined that restoring overnight lighting would cost around £103,000 in the first year, requiring a precept increase of approximately £11 for Band A properties rising to £16.50 for Band D households.

Skegness Town Council is to debte the cost of switching overnight lighting back on.

placeholder image — Skegness Town Council is to debte the cost of switching overnight lighting back on.

However, following a detailed debate, councillors indicated support for the principle of switching the lights back on, subject to the outcome of a public consultation and further financial modelling.

In comments following the meeting, Mr Larner said the agreed proposal was “relatively complex” and would now require officers and councillors to work through the detail.

He said, in essence, the council supports bringing the lights back on, but first wants to establish whether residents agree. If the consultation shows public support, the matter would then be considered further as part of the council’s summer financial strategy, with officers working alongside councillors and Lincolnshire County Council to explore funding options before entering the formal budget process.

However, the meeting was briefly overshadowed by a heated exchange during discussion of the financial implications.

During debate between Coun Mark Anderson and Deputy Mayor Coun Mark Dannatt, tensions escalated over the interpretation of the costings. Coun Danny Brookes then proposed that Coun Anderson leave the meeting, a move which was supported by councillors.

Despite the disruption, the consultation proposal was carried forward.

The council will now move ahead with plans to seek residents’ views before any final decision is made on whether overnight lighting should be restored in the resort.