Cost savings being explored around Antrim and Newtownabbey’s seven-event festive lights programme
Antrim and Newtownabbey councillors have met to discuss reducing the cost of the borough’s civic festive switch-on programme.
In September of last year, members deferred making a decision on a recommendation to reduce seven switch-on ceremonies to three.
Councillors were asked to consider a reduced festive programme of flagship events to be held in Antrim town centre, V36 park, Newtownabbey and Ballyclare. A budget of £20,000 was proposed for each of these events.
It was also proposed seven illuminated Christmas trees be provided in Antrim town centre, Ballyclare town centre, Crumlin, Randalstown, Hazelbank Park, Monkstown, Glengormley and V36 with a celebration events fund of £34k to be shared by 17 districts across the borough.
Councillors were told previously community events often “clash with council switch-ons”.
However, councillors said during a previous discussion the Christmas switch-on events “bring families together and create memories for children”, to “withdraw funding now would withdraw community spirit”and that rural residents could miss out due to a “postcode lottery” before agreeing to postpone a decision on festivities until the new year.
A working group, with a representative from each political party, held a meeting to consider future civic festivities last month. However, all councillors were invited to attend “given requests from other members, local interest and given the wide range of opinions on this programme”.
A report presented to the Community Development Committee on Monday noted Christmas lights switch on events have been held in each of the seven District Electoral Area across the borough since 2018.
In 2024, the “switch on” programme was delivered at a cost of £101,222 overall and was attended by 12,100 people.
Speaking at the committee meeting, Antrim DUP Councillor Paul Dunlop BEM commented: “There was a lot of discussion around what could happen and what should happen.”
He indicated there may be “an appetite to cut costs” of the seven events but not to “do away with seven events”. He noted a difference in cost between “living” and artificial Christmas trees.
Cllr Dunlop stated: “I hope there are more cost savings explored before a final decision is taken.”
Meanwhile, the end of online streaming of the switch-on events by the council is expected to achieve a saving of approximately £10,000.
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter