At a meeting of the Douglas City Council it was revealed that the cost of fitting the 2023 Christmas lights was in the region of £60,000.
Councillor Stephen Pitts asked the Chair of the Environmental Services Committee a number of questions about the Christmas lights and the costs during the meeting on February 14.
Christmas lights cost
Cllr. Pitts asked ‘What was the cost to fit the Christmas lights/decorations in Douglas for 2023?’, the Council said:
“The Council does not use timesheets therefore it is not possible to accurately separate out Christmas decoration work from other electrical works. Finance has estimated this to cost £60,764.”
The Council estimated that 1,500 hours normal time were worked plus 498 overtime hours. Total hours worked is estimated at 1,998.
The Christmas lights bill kept building after the official switch on due to a number of lights being fitted after the date, which added an estimated cost of £2,523.
This was based on the work programme, it is estimated that 86.5 hours were worked (including 28 hours of overtime).
Rates Increase
For the 2024-25 financial year, Douglas City Council are to increase its rates 12.57% on 2023-24 rates.
A ‘budget of sustainability and resilience’ was announced on January 31 by Douglas City Council.
At its annual rate setting meeting, Members in January voted to set a rate levy of 573 pence in the pound, an increase of 64p, for the 2024-25 financial year.
Addressing the Chamber, Council Leader, Councillor Mrs Claire Wells, said the impact of financial pressures and charges from elsewhere were affecting all local authorities but the Council remained committed to and focused on delivering essential public services for Douglas and the wider community.
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