THE future of a town’s Christmas lights still hangs in the balance – but councillors hope to rebuild bridges.
Sandy Chamber of Trade, which has organised Sandy’s Christmas lights and switch-on event for many years, pulled out of the festivities following comments made at a council meeting in June.
Councillors said then that the switch-on event had grown stale and concerns were raised about the lack of financial details provided to receive a town council grant. It later transpired that accounts had been submitted in January.
At a meeting of Sandy Town Council on Monday councillors said that they hope to restore relations with the chamber.
But the chamber of trade and Sandy Town Team have declined invitations to discuss the lights with councillors tonight (Friday).
Councillor Colin Osborne said: “I think we need to rebuild bridges that have collapsed.”
Councillor Michael Scott said: “I think that some things have been said that are going to be difficult to overcome.
“I think we need to have dialogue with the chamber of trade if they will talk to us.
“I think we need to move forward. Sooner or later we will have to admit some of the mistakes are ours.”
He added that the lights would cost the council twice as much without the chamber and that this would be serious given the current overspending in many of the council’s budgets.
Councillor Martin Pettitt said: “I merely stated that year on year particularly what was called the Victorian afternoon had become a little stale and needed invigorating.
“I had no particular criticism of the lights per say that are strung along the High Street. That’s where my concerns were and to a certain extent remain.”
Councillor Geoff White said: “I think we need to be clear that there’s no suggestion of impropriety on the part of the chamber of trade, just that the accounts haven’t been the first thing they’ve produced for us when they’ve asked for money.
“The chamber has very quickly taken offence where I’m sure no offence was intended. Nobody is immune to being invited to examine their processes and how the money is spent. I think it’s desirable that all parties talk.
“Whatever happens I think it needs to be very clear that there will be lights in Sandy at Christmas.”
But Councillor Osborne added: “I hope that Councillor White is right and we are going to have Christmas lights but unless we take this on ourselves then I do wonder if there will be lights. I think we do need to remember budgets.”