Bournemouth and Poole town councils won’t fund Christmas lights this year
Budget constraints prompt councils to defer festive light funding
Bournemouth and Poole's newly established town councils have announced they will not be providing funds for Christmas lights displays this year.
The decision comes after Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council withdrew direct funding for festive lights in 2023 due to budget pressures.
Councillor Mark Anderson, leader of the Bournemouth Reform group, said, “I don’t think we’re going to be able to, unfortunately.
“The thing is with the council we don’t want to spend anything that has not being allocated and the budget has already been set for us.
“So the only funding we’ve got that we can have any control on is going to be CIL money and we don’t know what CIL money we’re getting at the moment.”
The council has not held its first financial meeting, which was postponed following a motion passed at its first meeting. Anderson emphasised the importance of allowing new councillors time to acclimate to their roles without being rushed.
Councillor Xena Dion, Poole Reform group leader, said: “One of the most attractive Christmas lights is actually in each shop, putting their own little Christmas tree out on a bracket with Christmas lights on rather than great threads of light across the streets.
“We’ve got the business improvement district in Poole which takes a tax off every business within the high street and, I think, the surrounding areas.
“One of the things that we want to do is meet with the business improvement district and look at how the money is being spent.
“If anybody should be funding the High Street Christmas lights, it’s the bid.”
Broadstone Town Council, however, has budgeted £3,000 for Christmas lights. Meanwhile, Poole and Bournemouth's Business Improvement Districts currently fund festive lights in their town centres.
Christchurch Town Council has also previously declared plans for Christmas lights in 2026.