Town centres across Medway will be decorated with Christmas lights this festive season thanks to last minute donations from three private companies.
Due to financial pressures the local authority had decided not to fund the lights in five main town centres this season.
However, Norse Group, Marston Holdings and VolkerHighways have joined forces to provide financial support to install and cover the costs of running the lights in Chatham, Gillingham, Rochester, Rainham and Strood high streets.
Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Vince Maple, said: ‘I am incredibly heartened by the generous offer of all three companies. Their corporate support means it is now possible to have Christmas lights in all five town centres this year. My personal thanks to Norse Group, Marston Holdings and VolkerHighways.
‘Our decision to not use taxpayers’ money to fund Christmas lights and switch-on events saves the council £75,000. With a 91 per cent cut in government funding since 2010 and a £17million gap in this year’s budget, I remain resolutely determined to balance our books, even if that means further difficult decisions.’
If this article was of interest, then check out our feature, ‘How to fix local government finance’.
