Battersea’s Christmas lights came close to being scrapped, according a councillor who let discussions at a private meeting slip on Twitter.
Shaftsbury ward councillor and former executive member, James Cousins, Tweeted his surprise to see the Christmas lights installed in Lavender Hill last week.
Councillor Cousins
He said: “Great to see the Xmas lights installed on Lavender Hill. They make a big difference; well done to the council for reversing their abolition.”
Following an online discussion with a Labour councillor, Simon Hogg, it emerged the lights had been discussed at a meeting with a formal decision expected to be taken in June.
It is understood the meeting Coun Cousins was referring to was a confidential leader’s group meeting in which cabinet portfolio holders discuss a range of issues.
After an intervention in the discussion by Tory party whip Steffi Sutters who said: “Are you sure we were ever going to abolish the Christmas lights?” Councillor Cousins replied: “I must have misremembered or confused things.”
Talking to the Wandsworth Guardian about the Christmas lights discussion Coun Cousins said: “The meeting in question pre-dates my sacking. Christmas lights were one of many potential savings, and my recollection, quite vivid since I argued against it, was that the council would cease funding Christmas lights, the formal decision to be taken in June, and require businesses to find them.
“Obviously in shopping roads that are struggling this is a big ask. I assumed the cut had gone through, so was obviously delighted to see them going up again.
“The council should be congratulated, I'm sure businesses and shoppers are as pleased as I am the council decided this was an unacceptable option and found a way to save the lights.”
Coun Sutters said: “All I can say is I haven’t seen such a paper. I like the lights and I’m very supportive of the lights and wouldn’t want to see them cut.
“It’s definitely not on the table and as far as I know definitely not going to be on the table.”
The discussions were criticised by Will Martindale, Battersea’s Labour MP candidate, who said: “The council should definitely keep the Christmas lights - they’re great for children and also popular with shopkeepers.
“For many people in Wandsworth, this will not be a happy Christmas. More than 900 homeless local families will be spending their Christmas Day in temporary accommodation. Council cuts to meals on wheels mean vulnerable pensioners won’t have the choice of hot meals.
“Meanwhile, Christmas came early for the council’s chief executive: he got a £20,000 pay rise to take his total pay to £274,000.”
Will Martindale (centre)
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