Labour-controlled council to cancel Christmas lights to save eye-watering £75k
A Labour controlled council has scrapped its Christmas lights as they claim the move will save £75,000
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A Labour controlled council has scrapped its Christmas lights as they claim the move will save £75,000.
Medway Council in Kent, which went from Conservative to Labour earlier this year, said it made the "sad and difficult decision" in order to slash a potential £17million overspend for this financial year.
According to a financial report published last month, the council is "very likely" to go bankrupt.
Despite the decision sparking fierce backlash among residents, Council leader Vince Maple said he had "no choice but to make these tough decisions".
A Kent high street with Christmas lights
Moonstone Images/ Getty
Many angry residents have shared their frustration on on social media with some suggesting the "shocking" decision which would "cancel Christmas" for many children.
In a post online, the council wrote: 'Unfortunately we have had to make the difficult decision to not have Christmas lights across Medway or hold switch-on events this year.
"With the ongoing financial situation we need to make tough decisions & this will save £75,000."
The decision has led some people to slam the council's "poor financial management" while others highlighted areas where money could be saved instead.
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One social media user said: "Disgraceful, but obviously your increased councillors expense allowance is still happening!"
Another added: "How much of that £75k is for paying over priced contractors to put them up?
"Rather than cancelling Christmas for the many kids who only see the magic outside of their home.
"How about finding a way to reduce the price or asking local businesses to donate their equipment to help."
Council leader Vince Maple said he had 'no choice but to make these tough decisions'
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Maple said: "We are making these incredibly difficult decisions to reduce the potential overspend and to ensure we can continue to provide essential services that we are required to provide by law.
"There is still much for all our residents to enjoy in the run up to Christmas this year.
"I am pleased local ward councillors are still able to fund a Christmas tree in each town. We will continue to work closely with our town centre businesses to explore further ways to support them this Christmas.
"We are also exploring public transport support in December to make it easier to get to our town centres and high streets."
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