Councillors Speak Out Against Christmas Lights Charges
>> 1 November 2017
Local SNP councillors Stephen Smith (Peterhead South & Cruden) and Anne Allan (Peterhead North & Rattray) have spoken out against proposals by Aberdeenshire Council to charge community groups for the cost of electricity used by Christmas light displays.
The move followed a meeting of the Buchan Area Committee yesterday (Tuesday) where councillors were being asked their views on a new policy for festive light displays. Among the proposals from the council were that community groups should be liable for the cost of the electricity used by Christmas light displays. At the meeting, both councillors spoke out against the charges as an unfair burden on voluntary groups.
Cllr Stephen Smith said:
“The amounts we’re talking about in each community are fairly small and I think it’s a small price to pay for the festive displays which enhance our towns and villages each year.”
Cllr Anne Allan added:
“To ask them to find extra money for the cost of the electricity would be an additional burden on their resources and fundraising efforts and I’m glad the Buchan Area Committee agreed unanimously that our view is we don’t want to see this extra cost imposed.”
The issue will be decided by Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee in the near future.