I am writing to request the following information from the council on its Christmas spending over the last 8 years and its current budget for this year’s festivities. Please may you provide me with:

1. The council’s total expenditure for Christmas decorations and events for every year from 2016 – 2023
2. How much the council budgeted for Christmas decorations and events for every year from 2016 – 2023
3. How much the council has budgeted for Christmas decorations and events for 2024
4. The councils 2024 Christmas budget broken down by category (Lights, Trees, events)

We have not purchased any additional Christmas lighting for Shute End since Christmas 2017. The current lighting is still in working order. The total expenditure for Christmas lighting and decoration was £200 as this was a single payment. There was a replacement of the external lights due to high winds bringing the previous ones down. This was in December 2019 but was more reactive works to the building than just for Christmas lights; Cost £2,377.25 for overall works done.

Staff are able to bring in their own decorations for their desk and office area so long as they are Health and Safety compliant and would not cause any risk to life or building. If Shute End has a tree this is usually donated, and the town tree is the Town Councils responsibility.

The Town and Parish Councils are responsible for any lighting that is erected in their area and is not the Borough Council who deals with this. Requests would need to be directed to them.