Welshpool Town is set to spend £25,000 on new Christmas lights after the old ones were deemed unfit for use.

At a meeting of the council’s events committee on Wednesday, September 20, councillors voted to accept a quote by Blachere Illuminations after researching a number of offers from street lights suppliers.

The offer from Blachere includes festoon lights for the streets, cross street features and an offer to refurbish existing frames.

The new lights will replace the existing set up, which were independently assessed earlier this year and deemed unfit for use, having been in service for over 10 years.

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Councillors at the meeting agreed that it was a matter of urgency to order the lights as soon as possible, rather than run the risk of not having them arrive in time for the Christmas season.

Cllr Phil Pritchard objected to the proposal to approve the decision at a committee meeting, asking instead that it be referred to the next full council meeting.

He said: “As a committee we can only make recommendations. If the lights are not ready then so be it, but I’d rather risk that than make a decision without the approval of the full council and have this be a dictatorship rather than a democracy.”

Cllr Billy Spencer disagreed, stating: “I think as a matter of urgency that we make a decision to order them now.

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"If we put this on hold it will be no use complaining if we are told that we have missed the deadline to order them in time for December. The thought of the people and children of this town going without lights in the festive season is unacceptable to me.”

Other councillors added that under standing orders it is acceptable for committees to make decisions on behalf of the full council in certain circumstances.

Cllr Phil Owen pointed out: “I think this is a decision that can be taken by committee, some things are delegated when it’s imperative that we make a decision, as it is here because we’ve got limited time. It’s in these exact circumstances that committees should make decisions.”

Cllr Geoffrey Lanagan added: “As a full council we already approved the decision to spend money on new lights so I think as a committee we have the authority to choose which specific lights are selected, having already set aside funds to invest in them.”

The present councillors voted in favour of making the decision and to accept Blachere Illumination’s offer immediately.