PRESSURE is mounting on council chiefs to “save Christmas” by restoring festive lights and trees across North Lanarkshire.
Residents have been left dismayed after discovering there will be no displays this year as a result of cuts to the local authority budget.
Council chiefs have defended axing the set pieces – blaming the Scottish Government for reducing their funds – with towns such as Motherwell and Cumbernauld affected.
READ MORE: Labour MSP Monica Lennon releases list of North Lankarshire schools affected by Covid-19
However, there is growing anger amongst locals, who have pleaded with councillors to save the festive season.
One Airdrie woman, who asked not to be named, said: “It’s ridiculous that they aren’t putting up the lights in a year where everyone needs a little bit of joy.
“How much money will this really save them?
“We’re used to seeing our services cut but surely they could have saved Christmas.
“They are needed now more than ever and it is the worst thing to cut at the worst time.”
“You just hope this will be a one-off and next year they will see sense.”
A war of words has erupted in recent weeks between opposition councillors and the minority Labour administration.
An open letter has now been sent by Airdrie Central man Trevor Douglas to council leader Jim Logue, also of that ward.
Cllr Douglas wrote: “As you know our towns and villages are the life and soul of our communities within North Lanarkshire.
“During this world crisis, many people are looking at Christmas to bring that ray of hope that we are coming through this pandemic.
“I know that our budget has been cut year on year and as councillors, we are responsible to present and work a balanced budget.
“However, during the bleakest of years, I write to urge you to work with all the councillors and council officers to reinstate Christmas trees and lights across the whole of North Lanarkshire.
“We all appreciate that the usual festivities and celebration must be toned down due to the pandemic, but we can still revel in the Christmas cheer that only a tree and twinkling lights can bring.
“Our business in towns and villages have had a torrid time, especially financially, and I hope that by bringing back the Christmas trees and lights, that we can encourage our residents to shop locally and safely.”
Speaking during a debate this month, cllr Logue said: “The only reason that Christmas lights and trees are no longer funded by the council is because of catastrophic cuts to our budget by the SNP.
“However, it is heartening to see that many communities have already started fundraising for their own lights and trees this year, proving that the SNP can take much from North Lanarkshire, but not our Christmas spirit.”
The SNP group on the council hit back, saying “Tory austerity” was to blame for the lack of Christmas lights and displays this year.
A NLC council spokesman said: “The council had to make some difficult decisions when setting its budget this year which included removing festive lighting.”
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