Christmas might be cancelled for Bridgnorth

A tourist town in the Midlands could be without Christmas lights this year after councillors failed to agree on a budget.

Councillors in Bridgnorth were warned time was running out to get the proper contracts and insurances in place to make sure the grand switch on went ahead.

A row broke out at Bridgnorth Town Council after plans to spend a total of £18,290 were deferred.

Councillors could not agree on a way forward and now a special meeting could be set up to discuss the future of the lights.

A budget of £13,670 had been agreed for this year's huge switch-on event, which has grown over the last few years to include fairground rides and stalls.

Is £13,670 too much to spend on Christmas lights? How could the council better spend the money? Leave your comments below.

The council's procurement committee had also asked councillors to back its recommendations to spend £4,620 to upgrade electrical boxes for the town's lighting system.

Further plans included extending the scheme down St Mary's Street but that the idea had already been deferred until next year. Councillor Norman Cottrell, speaking at the meeting, said: "The boxes we currently have simply have to be bypassed and we should not spend public money on it.

"The boxes are not being used and are not necessary. They can all be removed by the council's electrician.

"We should call an extraordinary meeting to discuss the Christmas lights."

Councillor James Gittins said the council was running out of time to get the Christmas lights installed by the end of November. In a report by the council's procurement committee, councillors were told if the existing boxes were not repaired, anchor points would need to be installed on buildings, which would require planning permission due to their listed status.

Town clerk Anne Wilson advised if the repairs were not carried out the town would not have any Christmas lights as the contract would have to go back out to tender.

The report states: "The electrical boxes, if not in use, would need an electrician to disconnect them, make them safe and to stop allowing damp in.

"The timescale would also be a factor as the planning process takes eight weeks."

Councillor Cottrell claimed just one box near the town hall needed repairing but all others could be removed.

But the town clerk advised at least three boxes would have to be used due to the system set up.