The future of Burnham-On-Sea’s annual town centre Christmas lights display was plunged into fresh doubt on Tuesday (May 25th) when Sedgemoor District Council reduced the funding for the display.
Burnham Chamber of Trade had hoped for at least £2,500 towards the display.
They have been awarded £1,250 from the District Council but money will still be needed from other sources.
Geoff Shickle, the Chamber’s Chairman, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “This is bad news for Burnham and means we’ll now be looking to the town council to help us fund the display or there is a risk it will not be held this coming Christmas.”
“We as a Chamber of Trade don’t have the manpower or the funds to run the display without council funding.”
In this financial year, Sedgemoor’s Grants Sub Committee has been asked to find a £100,000 reduction in the total grants that the council annually makes to a number of varied organisations.
This represents a 25% reduction of the overall grants budget.
Council spokeswoman Claire Faun told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Set in the local context of an estimated £12million shortfall in Sedgemoor District Council’s budget over the next five years and the national context of £1.6 billion being taken out of local government in the immediate future, Sedgemoor District Council regrets having to make cuts to grants.”
“During Sedgemoor’s budget process, £100,000 has been taken out of the grants that the Council gives to community groups. A set of criteria for determining the remaining monies in a fair and equitable was discussed.”
