RESIDENTS say their Christmas has been ruined already thanks to a “short-sighted” council.
Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council has cancelled its budget for festive lights and trees from this winter onwards.
Locals in Bournemouth say their Christmas has already been ruined
Rex FeaturesTheir council has cancelled its budget for festive lights[/caption]
BNPSMP Tobias Ellwood slammed the ‘bizarre’ decision[/caption]
It means the shopping thoroughfares in suburbs across the three towns won’t have lights or decorations strung up as is tradition.
The council say the Scrooge-like move will save them £51,000.
Tobias Ellwood, the Conservative MP for Bournemouth East, said it was “short-sighted and damaging” and called the council‘s decision making “bizarre”.
He said: “It is an illustration of the bizarre financial decision making in BCP Council.
“This approach is extremely short-sighted and will damage our local economy in the long term – subsequently placing greater financial strain on the council.”
The announcement was made as a 49ft tall public work of art erected on Bournemouth beach was taken down after just 13 days.
The giant archway, called “PORTAL” cost the taxpayer £32,000 to commission.
Local resident Anne Jarvis posted on social media: “But ££££££s thousands spent on useless sculptures.”
Daniel Rose said: “Yet they spent (thousands) on that useless Portal on the beach. BCOP Council are a joke.”
The council currently has a £44million gap in its finances and needs to make cuts to balance the budget.
They are cutting £44,100 for Christmas lighting and trees in Bournemouth town centre as well as many other areas such as Kinson, Winton and Charminster.
They have also cut £7,500 for lighting and trees in Christchurch town centre, including the main tree outside the mayor’s parlour.
Cllr Andy Martin, portfolio holder for customer, communications and culture, said: “Unfortunately the council is no longer able to fund its local Christmas lighting in some areas of Bournemouth and Christchurch in the same way as it has done before.
“We appreciate that this will be disappointing news, but the council made a commitment earlier this year to be transparent and proactive regarding its finances.
“The change in approach this year will save the council over £50,000, at a time when we’re needing to make hard choices to balance mounting pressure on our children’s and adult social care services.
“We do not underestimate the sense of celebration and joy Christmas brings to our communities, but we must balance this with our need to take a responsible approach to our financial commitments.”
BNPSThe council said it cannot afford the decorations[/caption]
BNPSBournemouth’s three shopping thoroughfares will be stripped of festive lights[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
