NEW figures show Christmas decorations and celebrations have cost the council more than £350,000 over the last five years.

Cuts to the area's spending on festive decorations were proposed in the local authority's recent budget consultation, with a public consultation under way to decide where savings should be made.

Data obtained by the Telegraph through Freedom of Information laws shows the cost of supplying and installing Christmas lights and trees across the district amounted to more than £250k.

Buying decorations has also been an expensive business, with £131k spent on festive ornaments since 2017.

The most expensive purchase was made in 2017, when Municipal Buildings bosses spent £16k on Christmas trees.

The second and third most costly buys were also made in that year, with £13k handed over for other trees and £9k spent acquiring 500 bows.

Last year the area held seven light switch-ons across its towns and villages, which had a total budget of £10,500.

While the events have proven popular with locals in the past, growing pressures on the council's budget have forced the local authority to consider cutting back on the festivities.

Council leader Stephen McCabe has previously said that Christmas cuts would generate savings in staffing costs required to put up the trees and lights in the district's towns and along the A8.

An Inverclyde Council spokesperson said the council was still looking at all of its services to identify potential cutbacks.

They added: "Our support for Christmas isn’t just spend on decorations, it is part of our support for towns and villages to encourage visitors.

"After years of pressure on council budgets across Scotland, all areas of service are examined for possible reductions.

"In the recent budget consultation spending on Christmas decorations was included as a possible reduction.

"No final decision has been taken on the full range of budget savings proposed, including this, and COSLA is currently seeking to secure extra funding for councils as part of the budget settlement offer."

2017 cost to supply and install lights and trees - £28,211.59

2018 cost to supply and install lights and trees - £44,044.75

2019 cost to supply and install lights and trees - £54,507.67

2020 cost to supply and install lights and trees - £48,891.66

2021 cost to supply and install lights and trees - £38,930.70

2022 cost of supply and install lights and trees - £43,019.91 (estimate)

 

 

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