Christmas lights switch-on occasions have been scrapped by a Kent council this 12 months in a bid to plug its price range hole.
Money-strapped Medway Council has made a “unhappy and tough” determination to cancel the annual festivities to avoid wasting £75,000 and maintain important companies operating.
Council chief councillor Vince Maple mentioned price range forecasting has discovered a possible overspend by the native authority of £75 million for the monetary 12 months.
Mr Maple mentioned: “Sadly as a result of difficult monetary scenario the council is in, we have now needed to make the unhappy and tough determination to not have Christmas lights throughout Medway this 12 months…
“I understand how disappointing this will likely be for a lot of households, residents and companies, together with myself who loved attending the occasion with my household, however the actuality of the scenario is that we sadly haven’t any selection however to make these powerful choices.”
The council boss added that Medway Council is likely one of the “lowest funded unitary authorities within the nation per head of inhabitants”, with its income assist grant minimize by 91% since 2010.
Mr Maple continued: “Consequently, our price range forecasting has recognized a possible overspend of £17 million for this monetary 12 months.
“This determination alone will save the council £75,000 and, while I admire there may be nonetheless an extended technique to go to scale back the price range hole, I’ll proceed to foyer central authorities to make sure Medway receives a good quantity of funding.”
Regardless of the cancellation of key occasions within the festive calendar, native ward councillors are nonetheless in a position to fund a Christmas tree in every city, in addition to a Christmas parade going down in Chatham on November 18, the council boss continued.
Character meet and greets will go forward in GillinghamStrood and Rainham libraries for younger folks, whereas Rochester Christmas market will likely be open to customers for 3 weekends.