Agenda item

To consider an improved lighting display for Grantham Town Centre following a compliant procurement exercise.

The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure presented the report that outlined the Council’s responsibility for the provision of Christmas lights in Grantham.

This provision had been supported by a modest budget of £17,500 from the Grantham Special Expense Area budget. The current lights were over 10 years old and the number of serviceable lights had reduced significantly.

The Christmas period 2022, had resulted in significant complaints and negative media interest.

Following a compliant procurement, there was now an option for the Council to enter a 3-year hire agreement to provide an improved light display in the town centre for Christmas 2023 and beyond.

In addition, it was proposed that this be complemented by the usual Christmas tree in the marketplace, family friendly activities and a Christmas market on the light switch-on day.

The 3-year hire cost could be met from the Grantham Special Expense Area budget or the supporting reserve and the contract could be novated to Grantham Town Council once established.

The one-off first year infrastructure costs, including the installation of uplighters on St Peter’s Hill could be funded from the District allocation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Appendix one to the report provided a visual representation of the types of lights and interventions which would be provided, should the report be supported by the Committee.

A query was raised on whether Grantham Town Council would be financially impacted by the 3-year lease when the contract is novated over to them.

Concern was raised on whether this would commit South Kesteven District Council to paying £30,000 for an ongoing 3 years meaning a high budget. It was further queried whether the £17,500 currently being paid for Christmas lights would be deducted from the total of £30,000 if the 3-year hire cost be accepted.

Further information of the grant was requested and whether the Council could determine how the fund be utilised.

The Chief Finance Officer reminded the Committee the report was a recommendation on the allocation of the UK Shared Prosperity funding for the Christmas lights. UK Shared Prosperity had its own governance and criteria to be met. Officers had undertaken an initial assessment and deemed the appropriateness to signpost the £30,800 to UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

It was confirmed that when Grantham Town Council comes into fruition, there would still be a requirement of a Grantham Special Expense Area operated by South Kesteven District Council. Once a Town Council was formed, ongoing discussions would take place regarding the services appropriated across in a mutual agreement. If accepted by the Town Council, they would then precept upon residents of Grantham to run services. The £30,800 commitment would become a Town Council responsibility and they would precept accordingly. At that point, the District Council would stop its precept of that money and the money would be transferred from one entity to another. The Grantham residents would either pay through the Special Expense Area charge or through their Grantham Town Council charge.

The £17,500 was an existing commitment through the Grantham Special Expense Area and would need to be topped up by the balance of the new annual contracted payment. This had not been predetermined and therefore there was a gap between the existing £17,500 budget and the required annual charge with the new supplier of the Christmas lights. The gap would be funded from either in-year underspends elsewhere within the Special Expense Area or the Special Expense Area reserve which was set-up to fund one-off events and unforeseen costs.

This year, the cost would be met from the reserve if the funds cannot be found from elsewhere. Going forward, Officers would put forward the full cost of running the contract through the budget setting process to ensure the funds are available going forward.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Economic Development informed the Committee the Community Governance Review was in its final furlong and it was hoped Grantham would have a Town Council by June 2024.

It was recognised only two Members who represented Grantham sat on the Committee and non-Grantham Members were being asked to recommend the spending money of Grantham residents.

One Member suggested schools be consulted for Grantham children to have an input into what type of lights they would like. 

It was noted that £30,800 of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, if approved, would be used to pay for Christmas lights in Grantham. It was queried as to whether the other three towns would receive any funding for the purchase of new lights.

A query was raised as to whether the £30,800 included the installation of the wiring and if the lights would support climate change.

The Chief Finance Officer notified the Committee on the significance of the lead-in times on signing-off the funding. The infrastructure and the roll-out were guided by the contractors. If the decision was prolonged, Grantham would not have a Christmas light display in December 2023.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Economic Development informed the Committee that funding from the UK Shared Prosperity would be shared across the District and grants had already been awarded in Stamford, Deepings and smaller villages. 

One Member queried whether the proposed contracted Christmas lights were wildlife friendly.

It was proposed, seconded and AGREED that the Committee:

1. Recommends £30,800 of the District’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocation is utilised to fund the one-off infrastructure costs in 2023/2024 to enhance the festive light offer for Grantham, in accordance with the delegation approved by Council on 26 January 2023.

2. Recommends that a three-year hire agreement with Gala Lights is implemented in order to provide an enhanced festive light display in Grantham Town Centre in readiness for the Christmas 2023 period.