Council insists decision to cancel Dundee fireworks not a financial one
The events - usually held in Lochee and Baxter parks - have been pulled more than seven months in advance.
Dundee City Council's insisting the decision to cancel this year's fireworks displays is a public safety one, not financial.
The events, usually held in Lochee and Baxter parks, have been pulled more than seven months in advance.
City development convener Mark Flynn says it was not an easy decision to make.
"The conversations took months to be completely honest. We had to eventually come to a decision on the basis that we've got a lot of process that's got to be done prior to the fireworks taking place," he said.
"A lot of officer time, a lot of tendering processes to be done. We'd have to see if someone was willing to take that tender on.
"That's ÂŁ50,000 to ÂŁ60,000 per annum we spend on this but this is not financial in any way. This is purely a public safety concern and a public safety decision."
Scotland's coronavirus restrictions will begin to lift over the coming days, with a 'stay at home' message changing to 'stay local' on Friday.
The Scottish Government's main coronavirus adviser Jason Leitch told Tay News earlier this week that the country remains on track to meet other target dates such as a lifting of travel restrictions within Scotland from 26 April, despite a spike in cases.
Last week it was confirmed TRSNMT will go ahead in Glasgow in September. Asked why events like that could take place but fireworks displays could not in Dundee two months later, councillor Mark Flynn added: "We're having to plan ahead under the resources we do have.
"With regards to our staff who're currently being redeployed, many are working within the covid support network at vaccination centres at the moment.
"It's just the safest option. We can't go ahead with this quite simply, we don't know what the situation will be like later on this year.
"Concerns are if we have a mass event you might increase the spread of any situation that could occur.
"Senior scientists are saying they're possibly expecting a third wave, we must take that into account as well."
The development convener said he couldn't confirm if all council run public events with large crowds will be scrapped this year.
"It's got to be case by case, and monitoring all the situations at the time." added Mark Flynn.
"The vaccination rollout is going extremely well but from a public safety point of view we've got to make sure we make the proper decision and not put anyone at risk."