Christmas cancelled? Plug pulled on switch-on events?

Rumours have been sweeping East Dunbartonshire in recent weeks that the council cutbacks could impact on festive celebrations.

Council officers have previously insisted that it would be “business as usual” this December - with DJs, entertainment and fairground rides at the launch of the illuminations.

But now they have conceded that squeezed budgets may only stretch to the provision of lights and decorations.

Derek Cunningham, the council’s director of development and infrastructure, said: “The council will continue to provide the same level of Christmas lighting installations across our towns and villages as in previous years.

“Indeed we are looking at how we might be able to upgrade and improve our features and equipment.

“We cannot at this time, however, guarantee funding support for switch on events as essential revenue savings have had to be made in recent years given the very challenging budgetary pressures faced by the council.

“In any case, however, there will be festive lighting displays provided by the council and we remain keen to support our local communities and town centres in relation to switch on arrangements.”

Bishopbriggs Community Council is looking into running their own lights ceremony.

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