Medway Christmas Lights cancelled
The Council say the decision will save £75,000
Medway Council have made the decision to cancel Christmas Lights and switch-on events in the town centres this year.
It's as the Council say they continue to be one of the lowest funded unitary authorities in the country per head of population, forecasting a potential overspend of £17 million for this financial year.
The cancellation of the Christmas Lights across Medway is expected to save the Council £75,000.
Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Vince Maple, released a statement yesterday, where he addressed the Council's "challenging financial situation" and acknowledged that the cancellation of the lights and switch-on events would be disappointing "for many families, residents and businesses".
Cllr Maple also said he is disappointed by the decision, but that tough decisions have had to be made.
However, despite the lights being cancelled, other Christmas events across Medway, including character meet and greets in Gillingham, Strood and Rainham's libraries and a Christmas parade in Chatham, will all still be going ahead.
Rochester's Christmas Market is among those continuing to take place this December, as well as a new children's Christmas village in Rochester Castle Grounds.
Cllr Maple finished the statement by saying that the Council will continue to work with businesses in the town centres to support them this festive season.
A Small Business Saturday event is taking place in Medway on December 2nd.
The whole statement from Cllr Vince Maple, and Medway Council, can be found here.
You can read all about the Christmas events that will still take place in Medway here.