Truth about Crumlin’s Christmas tree ‘axing’

I AM referring to your headline ‘Anger as Crumlin festive tree is axed’ (News, November 1). The headline is misleading as the facts do not justify or support such a conclusion.

Because of serious budgetary constraints, all parties on Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council agreed that its spending on community Christmas programmes was unsustainable.

This meant a reduction in spending across the board by 50%, from £460,000 per annum to £230,000.

Previously, 22 towns and communities received funding for Christmas events, but given the need to make cuts this was reduced to four larger towns.

Alliance proposed that a fifth town (Crumlin) be added, but this was unsuccessful. Sinn Fein, which now claims discrimination against the town, voted against this proposal.

As part of the drive to reduce spending, local communities were encouraged to become more self-sufficient. The town of Crumlin — to its credit — successfully sought private funding from Belfast International Airport.

A Sinn Fein representative is quoted as claiming that this private funding has “nothing to do with the Christmas tree, or the Christmas lights that are usually funded by the council”.

This will be news to the airport: the airport has confirmed to a senior council officer that £2,000 has been made available to Crumlin and that they understand that this includes a Christmas tree.

How could our council then be accused of discriminating in this matter if the Christmas tree was being funded elsewhere?

If my motion had been successful, Crumlin would not have had an issue next year, but those now alleging discrimination failed to support it.

ALDERMAN TOM CAMPBELL (ALLIANCE)

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council