Town will sparkle with lights this Christmas

Councillors agreed at their full meeting last Wednesday to spend £15,000 on Christmas lights this year.

This is a saving of half of what was originally budgeted.

Acting clerk Sue Harrison told councillors: “The cost per annum for the leasing arrangement last year was £23,000.”

“On termination of that agreement the lights will be transferred to the town council.”

“But we have been advised the lights are coming to the end of their life.”

She advised that a spend of £15,000 would cover replacement lights, and installation. New LED lights could be bought, and the company which currently installs them has offered the service at a reduced price.

In January, councillors budgeted for a £30,800 spend on Christmas lights.

Mayor Lesley Rollings said: “We want to try and do this with the money we have got this year, as cheaply as we can.”

“But in the future we need to move away from a situation where the town council is providing the corporate Christmas lights in the town.”

“The independent retailers group have offered their support to help with the lights, and we should take them up.”

“This needs to be a community effort in future, with our help.”

Coun Cynthia Isherwood said: “In Market Rasen the Christmas lights are shared between the town centre partnership and the town council.”

“I don’t think it should be a situation where the town council provides these lights and bears all the cost.”