Kirklees Council “cancelling Christmas” after dropping tough festive lights guidelines
The regulations emerged in a 37-page policy document.
Last updated 1st Sep 2022
Council chiefs have been accused of “cancelling Christmas” by imposing tough rules on community groups and small businesses who want to put up festive lighting displays at Christmas.
The regulations emerged in a 37-page policy document focusing on consent and standards that has been released by Kirklees Council.
It appears to relate only to Christmas lights. Other festivals and faith events, such as Diwali in early November, are not affected.
It lays out robust rules for anyone intending to decorate town centres – and even requires them to provide £10m public liability insurance cover to indemnify the council against third-party claims for loss, injury or damage.
The guidelines are likely to affect several communities including Cleckheaton, Mirfield and Birkenshaw.
Christmas lights in all three areas are organised variously by town councils, chambers of trade or private sponsors.
In Mirfield festive light displays are organised by the town council. Town Mayor Martyn Bolt – also a district councillor in Kirklees for the Conservatives – said the requirements of the new policy appeared to be weighted against communities.
He said: “It feels rushed. It was signed off in June but there’s been no consultation on this. Instead the council is dictating to communities.
“They’re saying, ‘This is what we’re going to do – and you, the communities, are going to have to do it for this year.’ It’s taken a lot of people by surprise.”
He said the new policy had been based on a document that dated back more than a decade but that introducing it with no prior warning was unfair.
He added: “There is now a rush to try and comply, and concern if not panic from people from different communities. They’re asking what it all means.
“And if contractors or communities are not members of the various bodies that the council demands – and if they can’t get the huge insurance cover – then their displays could be scrapped.
“It’s like the council is cancelling Christmas.”
Kirklees Council was approached to comment.