Fury as newly Labour controlled Medway Council cancel all Christmas lights due to ‘challenging financial situation’ claiming the move will save £75,000
- Medway Council made the decision in a bid to reduce potential £17m overspend
- The council went from Conservative to Labour in this year’s general election
A newly Labour controlled council has cancelled all its christmas lights due to a ‘challenging financial situation’.
Medway Council in Kent said it made the ‘sad and difficult decision’, which it claims will save £75,000, in a bid to reduce a potential £17million overspend for this financial year.
The council, which went from Conservative to Labour in this year’s May general election, is ‘very likely’ to go bankrupt, according to a financial report released last month.
Council leader Vince Maple said he had ‘no choice but to make these tough decisions’ which have sparked a furious backlash among local residents.
Medway Council announced the news on X, formerly Twitter, with people slamming the ‘shocking’ decision which would ‘cancel Christmas’ for many children.
A newly Labour controlled council has cancelled all its christmas lights due to a ‘challenging financial situation’ (Pictured: Rochester Christmas Market)
Medway Council leader Vince Maple (pictured alongside Keir Starmer earlier this year) said he made the ‘sad and difficult decision’, which he claims will save £75,000
Medway Council in Kent said it made the ‘sad and difficult decision’, which it claims will save £75,000, in a bid to reduce a potential £17million overspend for this financial year
The council posted an update on X yesterday saying: ‘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 caused fury among local residents who took aim the council’s ‘poor financial management’ and highlighted other areas where money could be saved instead.
One user spoke out against the decision saying: ‘Disgraceful, but obviously your increased councillors expense allowance is still happening!’
Another user, Maria, 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.’
Holly argued: ‘If you didn’t waste your money putting in pointless cycle lanes and footpaths that isn’t necessary then maybe you’ll have the money for some Christmas lights and wouldn’t be in this mess!’
Starmer pictured with Mr Maple in Chatham in where Labour took overall control of Medway Council for the first time since 1998 after winning 30 of its 59 seats in the local elections
Mr 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.’
Mr Marple said that Rochester’s Christmas Market and it’s Dickensian Christmas Festival, which attract thousands of people every year, will go ahead as planned.
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