I HEREBY GIVE YOU NOTICE THAT a Meeting of the Council Christmas Lights Display
Working Group will be held in the Council Chamber, Prospect House, Hexham on
Monday 11 June 2007 at 6.30pm, when the following items will be discussed:-
A G E N D A
6. To appoint the Working Group Chairman.
7. Apologies for absence
8. Christmas Lights 2007 - to consider any proposals for change Group members
may wish to put forward for discussion and to consider the 2007/8 display details.
[See attached memorandum].
9. To agree the date and time for the next meeting.
D Tiffin,
Clerk of the Council;
29 June 2007
Hexham Town Council
Council Office, St Andrews Cemetery
West Road, Hexham NE46 3RR
01434609575 Mobile 07710055051
Clerk@hexhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
Hagenda0607 xmaslights
HEXHAM TOWN COUNCIL
MEMORANDUM TO THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS DISPLAY WORKING GROUP.
This Group has been formed by the Council in order to 'organize' the annual Christmas Lights display and the Switching on ceremony which this year is on Friday 30 November 2007 at 5.00pm at the Bandstand in the Park. Any recommendations made by the Group are placed before the Council for its approval. The Council may not agree to implement every recommendation.
1. The Council has set aside in its 2007/8 budget the following:-
a. £10000.00 to cover the cost of erecting, dismantling and storage of
the display items. It may be that the electric supply cost will be added this
year. Up to now it has not been charged for and was part of the street lighting
element. The electric supply company may charge the County Council which will
in turn recharge this Council. It may be £750.00 though this is a guesstimate.
b. £300.00 for incidentals. This could be used for the switch on ceremony
and it should be noted the Mayor usually pays separately for the sweets handed
to children out of his own allowance.
c. £4000.00 for renewals. There are usually replacements or additional
lighting strings and of course light bulbs.
2. The suppliers of light units are always willing to come to Hexham to provide
suggestions for new units. Units vary enormously in cost. The cheapest are attached
to buildings or lampposts. Those that cross the highway are expensive due to
excessive fixing costs and the health and safety checks that are insisted upon
with every fixing having to be stress tested.
3. The Council agreed last year to provide new units for the 8 lampposts in
Beaumont Street. Designs will be available at the meeting of these. The cost
will be within the £4000.00 already allowed above.
4. In order to provide more units for 2007/8 the Council would need to set aside
additional finance out of NEXT year's budget. Unless funding can be found from
other sources such as sponsorship, donations etc.
5. The switch on ceremony has not changed for some years. The bandstand is a
good venue as it allows for shelter in bad weather, a raised platform for Santa,
announcements etc. Last year the problem of Santa having to produce a CRB certificate
was got around by having a volunteer with such a certificate. If Cllr A R Travis
agrees to be Santa the CRB certificate will not be needed for as a Councillor
he does not need to produce one to the Council.
6. So the switch on goes well the following should be agreed
a. A team of at least 5 persons to dress up as children story characters, handing
out sweets to the children, including all arrangements for this.
b. Suggestions for entertainment at the ceremony, including all arrangements
for this.
c. Suggestions for PA system at the ceremony, including all arrangements for
this.
Derick Tiffin
Clerk of the Council
22 May 2007