“We know the council’s strapped for cash but it is only once a year.”
But Streetscene cabinet member Jean Quinn said: “This is an opportunity for local communities to prioritise local issues, and, if they so wish, to back local traders and provide funding for Christmas lights.
“Each area forum receives a total of £35,000 to allocate as it sees fit.
“I would like to emphasise that, if approved, the proposals will not come into effect until 2009, giving local traders and community groups plenty of time to seek alternative funding.
“The funding allocated by the council for Christmas lights comes out of the same budget as that for maintaining our street lighting.
“We cannot continue to bear the rising costs for the Christmas lights at the expense of street lighting.
“However, local communities now have the means to continue with the Christmas lights if they choose to do so.”
