D-Day for Xmas lights cash

Last year the cabinet resolved to provide additional 'one-off' funding for festive lighting in Devonshire Road, Devonshire Square, Sackville Road and Sea Road.

Director of services Tony Leonard also recommends Monday's meeting to renew the Town Hall's Christmas lights at a cost of 16,000 and increase the revenue budget for ongoing cost of the town's festive lighting by 2,000.

Her also suggests allocating 750 a year to Little Common and Old Town subject to match-funding being obtained.

The costs would be included in the Special Expenses charge paid by Bexhill residents as part of their Council Tax.

Mr Leonard says: "The present lighting scheme was first installed in 2001 and covers all of the principal shopping streets - Devonshire Road, Western Road, Sackville Road, St. Leonards Road, Sea Road and Wickham Avenue.

"The scheme comprises a number of rope-light features placed across the street, together with 'festoon' lighting in Western Road, Sea Road and Wickham Avenue."

He says a review of the scheme is needed because:

a) The total annual cost of installing and maintaining the scheme now exceeds the allocated budget

b) The reliability of the rope-light features is decreasing with age and they are nearing the end of their useable life

c) With the likelihood that winter weather conditions will become more severe in the future, there is an increased safety risk from the erection of the cross-street features.

d) The need to meet Health and Safety requirements.

Quotations have been sought from potential contractors for options which include:

*Dismantling and erection of a new festoon lighting based on the existing scheme:

*Installation of a scheme comprising 'festoon' LED lighting only, in place of the cross-street features and 'swagged' across the street in the same locations, to remain permanently in place throughout the year. Price includes cost of purchase of LED festoon in Year 1 and includes the dressing of a tree in Devonshire Square

*As above, but with the lights dismantled at the end of each festive season.

"In addition, quotations have been sought for the purchase and installation of lighting features attached to 40 lamp columns in Devonshire Road, Sackville Road, Devonshire Square and Sea Road, (this excludes Western Road, St. Leonards Road and Wickham Avenue) which may be considered either in addition to, or instead of, the above options."

Total anticipated costs over a three-year period are 1119,120 for the first option, 78,005 for the second and 114,705 for the third.

"Historically, the council has also set aside a small budget (2,000 per annum) to support the implementation of Christmas Lights in other retail centres in Bexhill. Again this is charged as a special expense to Bexhill.

"In the past this funding has been divided between Sidley, Little Common, Town Hall Square, Bexhill Old Town and Marina, on application to the Council through the Head of Regeneration by the respective Traders' Associations.

"However, over time these Traders' Associations have become dormant and currently only Little Common and the Old Town Preservation Society are active.

"We are aware, however, that Sidley Traders' Association is keen to establish a festive lighting scheme, although there are no firm proposals to date. Officers will continue to work with the Traders' Association and it is likely that this will be the subject of a further report.

"In view of the changed circumstances since the present arrangements evolved, it is suggested that the budgets for Bexhill local centres be reviewed. It is therefore recommended that the council allocate the sum of 750 per annum each to Little Common and Bexhill Old Town, subject to evidence of equal match funding and public liability cover as before. Should a proposal also come forward from Sidley Traders' Association, this will be the subject of a further report."