A COUNCIL is to ask residents if it should splash out more cash on Christmas cheer in local towns.

Hyndburn Council will also consider if it is spending too much money on festive sparkle, as part of a review of its main trees and decorations budget.

The council currently spends around £50,000 a year on lights, trees, town cribs, maintenance, repair, energy, and storage of decorations.

But it now wants to know if residents think the budget is Scrooge-like, or bursting with over indulgence.

A cross-party scrutiny panel has been set up to carry out the in-depth review and will report back on the cost of Christmas decorations and activities.

Labour leader Coun Graham Jones, chairman of the panel, said: "I have not seen all of the towns' Christmas lights, but what I have seen I have not been that impressed by.

"Everybody pays equal council tax, so everyone is entitled to equal Christmas decoration, rather than some towns benefitting more than others."

He added: "There have been complaints from the public about the amount of money spent in Oswaldtwistle, when money should also be going into places like Great Harwood."

Coun Jones, of Peel ward in Accrington, will be joined by councillors Pam Barton, Spring Hill; Stan Horne, Rishton; and Kath Pratt, Baxenden.

Last year the council spent £51,000 on Christmas. This year it was £50,000.

Coun Jones said: "The panel is keen to receive the views of people who live, work, or visit Hyndburn on the levels of spending on festive decorations, in particular, whether spending should be increased, stay the same, or be reduced."

Residents can send any comments or information by e-mail to scrutiny@ hyndburnbc.gov.uk; by telephone on 01254 380129; by fax on 01254 380122, or by letter to the Overview and Scrutiny Officer, Legal and Democratic Services, Council Offices, Scaitcliffe House, Ormerod Street, Accrington, BB5 0PF.

>>> The cost of Christmas lights

  • Hyndburn 51,000 (2006) 50,000 (2007)
  • Blackburn with Darwen £95,740.88 (2006) 2007 unavailable
  • Burnley £45,000 (inc £10,720 underspend from previous year) £45,000 (2007)
  • Ribble Valley £2,200 grant given to Clitheroe Town Council (2006) £0,000 - no grant application made (2007)
  • Rossendale and Pendle councils were unable to provide figures.