Christmas Light Switch On & Fireworks Displays all up for review, as local council bids to make savings .

Fireworks Displays, Christmas Trees & even the yearly Switch On for the Christmas Lights all set to be under review at a council meeting being held today...

25th November 2024

Hartlepool Borough Council's is said to be undertaking a comprehensive review of its funding of popular community events, including the much-loved Christmas Light Switch-On, as it struggles to address a projected £10 million budget deficit over the next three years. The council’s finance and policy committee being held today will reportedly discuss potential cost-cutting proposals at a meeting being held at Hartlepool's Civic Centre.

A Grim Forecast for Local Festivities

Among the measures said to be under consideration, is a review of the council’s involvement in delivering the Christmas Light Switch-On and its financial support for independent events like Wintertide and the Folk Festival. These events, cherished by local residents and vital for fostering community spirit, could face drastic cuts or even cancellation if they're deemed to be 'unaffordable' by the local council which in 2023 was declared an authority of no public confidence. .

Only One Christmas Tree next year... Council Claims

Another proposal likely to spark debate is the potential removal of two of the town’s three Christmas trees. Currently, trees are installed in the Town Centre, Seaton, and the Headland, but under the new plan, only the Town Centre Christmas tree would remain. This would be a visible and symbolic reduction of festive cheer, leaving Seaton and Headland residents without their traditional decorations.

The council claims the move is part of an effort to improve the "efficiency" of its Christmas decorations, though many may see it as a stark reminder of financial mismanagement & the councils repeated inability to balance the books. .

Fireworks Without the Bang?

The future of the council’s annual firework display is also said to be 'uncertain'. Whilst the report suggests exploring ways to retain the event at no cost to the council, it reportedly leaves the door open to axing it altogether. This could be another blow to local families, particularly those already feeling the pinch, as free community events may be replaced with paid alternatives.

Yet More Costs Passed onto Residents

The council’s financial woes could extend beyond seasonal events. Concessionary rates for services like leisure memberships are also suggested to be on the table for review, as well as more services being moved to a “user pays” model. Whilst the council acknowledges these changes could disproportionately affect those living in poverty, its primary focus according to council chiefs is on bridging the budget gap.

For many, these proposals highlight broader concerns about how the council has managed its finances. Events like the Christmas Light Switch-On are more than just festive gatherings—they are crucial for supporting local businesses, attracting visitors, and strengthening community bonds. The reduction of these events could erode the town’s cultural fabric whilst offering only marginal savings in the context of a £10 million deficit.

As the finance and policy committee debates the cuts to be brought in for 2025, residents may question whether trimming Christmas cheer and other community staples is truly the best way to balance the books—or whether the council should be looking elsewhere for savings..... like its top heavy senior directors who collectively trouser off nearly a million pounds worth of public funds every year.