Christmas decoration spending plan set out

MEMBERS of Springburn’s area partnership have agreed to spend a maximum of £6000 on Christmas lighting and hope the community will help fund some displays.

During a committee meeting, councillors were asked to agree the locations for the festive lighting displays and where the switch-on events would be held later in the year.

It was suggested that the partnership work with community organisations to establish these sites and ask them to part fund the displays so there will be more festive lights throughout the ward. Labour councillor Martin McElroy said: “My suggestion is that we part fund a couple of displays. Is there a way in which we could match fund them?

“For example, if Asda want to provide £1000 for Christmas lights, could we then top it up? Could we take that approach, so we are not spending ridiculous amounts, but we still have more than one display?” Chairwoman councillor Christina Cannon agreed. She proposed, based on feedback from her constituents, that the committee should keep the Springburn tree where it was and look for match funding for places like Robroyston and Balornock.

Ms Cannon said: “We can’t agree locations today because we don’t have the technicalities there.

“We should task the officers to go away and look at areas particularly in Robroyston where a tree could go, and I am happy to speak to the director and keep members of the area partnership updated.”

Councillor Graham Campbell added: “We have complained about the distribution of funds for Christmas trees. The way it was done before reflects the very successful lobbying of councillors.

“I think we are looking for four trees. It is up to the community where they want it and I think it is right to split the cost with the community.”

Councillors agreed to set an upper limit for the trees of £6000 – but did not specify if that is £2000 per tree – and to look for more match funding.