Funding cut from Christmas light displays in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

BCP Council says it is facing a budget blackhole of over 40 million pounds and can't afford it

Author: Jo SymesPublished 4th Oct 2023

Funding has been pulled from this year's Christmas light displays across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole as the council says it is facing a "challenging financial situation."

Officials from BCP Council said it can no longer afford to put on displays like the ones it has done in the past due to a £44m gap in its finances next year. They added that they are also struggling to balance the budget this year

The change will save the local authority over £50,000, which councillors say is needed due to a "mounting pressure" on its children's and adult social care services.

However, council bosses says it is working with local organisations to bring back it's two large-scale events, the Christmas Tree Wonderland and Poole Christmas Maritime Light Trail.

In a statement from BCP Council, Cllr Andy Martin, Portfolio Holder for Customer, Communications and Culture said: “Like many local authorities, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council is facing a challenging financial situation. We have a £44m gap in our finances next year, which means we must make some difficult decisions to protect our financial future. We also face challenges to balance our budget in this current financial year.

“Unfortunately, the council is no longer able to fund its local Christmas lighting in some areas of Bournemouth and Christchurch in the same way as it has done before. We appreciate that this will be disappointing news, but the council made a commitment earlier this year to be transparent and proactive regarding its finances. The change in approach this year will save the council over £50,000, at a time when we’re needing to make hard choices to balance mounting pressure on our children’s and adult social care services.

“We do not underestimate the sense of celebration and joy Christmas brings to our communities, but we must balance this with our need to take a responsible approach to our financial commitments. We’ve already started conversations with Bournemouth Town Centre BID, the local Chambers of Trade and some Town and Parish Councils around this decision, and where possible we’ll also be working with the business community and representatives from local groups to look at how we can enable and empower them to take forward some of their great ideas and suggestions that this change of approach has prompted.

“Despite the financial pressures, BCP Council, working with others, is pleased to once again deliver two large-scale, family-friendly Christmas events in Bournemouth and Poole this year, whilst also making a financial contribution to Christchurch Town Council to support the delivery of their Christmas celebrations.

“Our Christmas Tree Wonderland event gets underway on Friday 17 November and runs right through to the new year. Poole Christmas Maritime Light Trail starts on Saturday 25 November and is once again set to impress visitors for over five festive weeks. Both well-loved, free events will provide local families and visitors a budget-friendly and memorable experience.”

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