It may only be August, and many of us are hoping that we have not seen the end of the summer, but Wilmslow Town Council are already looking ahead to Christmas.
They are considering a number of options for extending the Christmas lights in the town centre this year.
Last year Wilmslow Town Council appointed Blachere to supply new Christmas lights for Grove Street, Alderley Road and Water Lane, at cost of £39,500, because the former Christmas lights had reached the end of their life.
The Community and Order Committee were intending to have a firm proposal with costings for this week's town council meeting but unfortunately Blachere had not yet provided the costs so a full discussion was not possible.
The council has so far looked at three options which involve extending the lights on Alderley Road down to the Bollin Fee, lighting up Bank Square and installing new lights on Hawthorn Lane and/or Church Street.
Cllr Ruth McNulty suggested that they also look into the costs for putting more lights in the trees on Alderley Road.
A decision regarding Christmas lighting requirements was deferred until the September meeting by which time the council should have all the costs.
They are also considering where to locate a Christmas tree for the festive season. Options discussed include South Park, near to where the Romany Caravan was located, and Bank Square.
Cllr Ruth McNulty confirmed that the cost of a Christmas tree, including buying the tree, transportation, decoration and removal etc will be £850 per tree.
Should more Christmas lights be add to the town centre this year? If so, where would you like to see them and where do you think a Christmas tree should be sited? Share your views via the comment box below.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
"TO CONSIDER LIGHTING WILMSLOW AT CHRISTMAS
Quotations from 3 suppliers had been circulated. The preferred choice was Blachere to supply lights for Grove Street, Water Lane and Alderley Road at a cost of £39,463.37 to purchase the lights plus on-going costs of £6,463 per annum. Computer generated images of the lighted streets were available to view. Cllr Watkins confirmed that a minimum of £12k could be built into the Council’s budget each year to fund the replacement of the lights in 5 years time.
Cllr McNulty recommended that the Council choose Blachere to supply the lights and approve a budget of £40k to purchase the lights with £5k for contingencies and an on-going budget of £6.5k to cover any on-going costs.
Cllr Glover expressed concerns at the level of the costs.
Cllr Jones proposed that the Council approve the scheme, as discussed.
Cllr Hodgson seconded the proposal.
49/2011 It was RESOLVED that Blachere supply the Christmas lights for Grove Street, Water Lane and Alderley Road. The Budget would be £40k plus £5k for contingencies, £6.5k for on-going costs and a minimum of £12k would be included in future budgets to cover the replacement costs in 5 years. 14 in favour, 1 against (Cllr Glover)."
So WTC purchased the 2011 display to last for 5yr and sequestered min £12k pa from future 5yr ann budgets for repair, storage & replacement. WTC now hope to extend the Xmas illuminations at extra capital & contingency cost.. I would welcome extension of Xmas lights if % of additional cost was met buWilmslow traders / WBG
Blackpool illuimationscurrently cost C-Tax payers £2M pa
It was interesting on the last Cheshire East consultation questionaire that a question was directed at libraries being run on a volunteer basis, I can see that this will be one of the next things coming from the Council who won't be able to afford staff but will be able to afford Christmas lights and new signage.
Wilmslow took over the Xmas lights last year. So the cost is borne by WTC budget & precept.