By Jacob Lisle, Past Writer
When we see the trees with lights on them or hear the Christmas songs are on the radio, you know it's coming. Especially all the decorations being put up around town really gets you in the mood for the festive season. But by the council putting up their festive lights, does that mean that other aspects of their service suffer?
We all love Christmas. As Andy Williams put it, ‘It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year’. When we see the trees with lights on them or hear the Christmas songs are on the radio, you know it's coming. Especially all the decorations being put up around town really gets you in the mood for the festive season. They are great! But by the council putting up their festive lights, does that mean that other aspects of their service suffer?
Well, in 2017, for example, Leeds Council spent £525,969. That’s a lot of money! Just think how else we could benefit from other services that the council could offer us. For example they could improve the well being of their citizens. Think about public services like education, cuts have been made there and that's not right; teachers educate our children and prepare them for the future, they deserve more for that.
But maybe Leeds have already picked up on parts of this. Recently, Leeds City Council brought awareness to the issue of families in need by setting up the organisation ‘Troubled Families’ and they decided to do something about it. A spokesperson from the City Council said that they have “An overall ambition to make Leeds a child friendly city”.
In my opinion, Christmas Decorations are great, ones in the home, fantastic! Ones in the Shopping Centres, maybe not so much. Every year, Cramlington makes a big deal about their Christmas Lights being turned on and all about them, but why? I will admit, they are quite nice but at what cost. They are nice to look at but at £200,000 plus every year, just for something visual, is this really what's best for your town?
What would you spend that £200,000 on if you were in charge?
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