Funding bid to be made for town's Christmas lights

Money to help pay for Scarborough's Christmas lights could come from the mayor of York and North Yorkshire, subject to the success of a funding bid.

The Scarborough Fair is set to apply for a grant from the combined authority's Vibrant and Sustainable High Street Fund, which aims to "revitalise" shopping areas in the county.

North Yorkshire Council is set to stop funding the seaside town's festive displays following the creation of Scarborough Town Council.

Although the town council has set £70,000 aside for the lights, it hoped a grant would reduce this figure.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said Scarborough Town Council had been set to approve the membership of a Christmas lights working group at a meeting on Wednesday.

However, following a "tumultuous week", councillors were told a bid would be submitted to the combined authority in a matter of days.

​The Scarborough Fair, a year-round programme of arts, heritage and sporting events in the town, is set to apply for the money in conjunction with the town's chamber of commerce.

Councillors agreed the working group could be delayed until further details emerge about the bid.

Other town councils in the area, including ​​Whitby and Filey, pay for their own illuminations from precepts and other income.

​Speaking at the meeting of the town council's community and place committee, councillor Chris Clark said: "Can I just point out at this stage that should there be an opportunity to reduce substantially that £70,000 for those Christmas lights, that we earnestly consider returning some of that cash to the community grants fund."

​Councillor Sarah Mason noted that the town council would still be responsible for other costs related to the maintenance of the lights and should wait to establish those before allocating the money elsewhere.

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