A large donation has been made by Marlborough Highways to provide Christmas trees (Image: Pexels)
(Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Sebastian Mann)
Havering Council cancelled usual Christmas events in Romford last week due to funding constraints.
But a £20,000 donation from Marlborough Highways will ensure that every town centre will be provided with a Christmas tree, the council said.
Ray Morgon, leader of the council since 2022, said the authority had been “very clear” about its need to make savings as it struggles to plug a £32.5million budget gap.
He said: “We have been very clear from the start that we were sadly unable to fund Christmas lights, trees and events this year because of the urgent need to make savings.
“We have no choice due to the year on year government reductions in funding and the escalating costs in social care and homelessness.
“However, we always said we would work with local businesses and groups to help them plan their own activities and would do our best to secure sponsorship for Christmas trees in town centres.
“I am pleased that thanks to the generosity of local businesses, our highways contractor Marlborough Highways and other community groups that all our town centres will be able to uphold our festive traditions in Havering this Christmas.”
The Romford Business Improvement District (BID) also stepped in, but its Christmas plans for the town centre are yet to be finalised.
Other events have been planned in Upminster, Mardyke, Elm Park, Rainham and Harold Hill.
The cash-strapped council began the financial year with a £32.5m budget deficit and has been making “tough” cuts across services. It has proposed closing four of the borough’s ten libraries, and explored plans to convert car parks into housing blocks.
Its decision to cancel the Christmas events caused outrage among residents. Locals took to social media, branding it a “shame”.
Andrew Rosindell, the Conservative MP for Romford, said he was “appalled” and accused the council of “cancelling Christmas”.
Following news of the cancellation, Cllr Morgon said the council would work with town centres to help them plan their own events and find sponsorship.
The council is still looking for businesses to support town centre activities and has encouraged people to contact its advertising team.
