Cuts could lead to illegal bonfires
Council bosses have been criticised for proposing to cancel funding for a community bonfire having just backed a campaign to get people to go to organised firework events.
Last week, as reported in the Mercury, Leicester City Council endorsed a Safer Bonfire Night campaign to try to prevent illegal and unauthorised bonfires being lit up on parks.
The campaign, also backed by the police and fire service, urged people to attend organised displays.
However, city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby then went on to reveal his intention to cease the £16,000 of council funding given to the Humberstone Park Community Bonfire.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013
Sir Peter said the council would help volunteers apply for local community forum grants to stage the event if they wanted it to continue but critics say it is unlikely to continue.
Coun Paul Newcombe, a member of a council scrutiny commission which discussed the matter, said: "If there is no Humberstone Park Bonfire, illegal fires could escalate and that is what we want to avoid. There will be more anti-social behaviour.
"To have it delivered locally is just pie in the sky. It just won't happen."
Fellow commission member Coun Lucy Chaplin said cancelling the funding sent out the wrong message.
She said: "I think its deeply ironic we are talking about these kind of cuts at this time of year when we are trying to encourage people to enjoy bonfire night safely.
"I would like to know if we consulted the fire service when deciding this. It would be staggering if we didn't."
The fire service has confirmed it had not been consulted but said it would not necessarily expect to be.
Assistant chief fire officer Steve Lunn said: "As always, we would encourage everyone to attend an organised event as they are generally safer."
Phillip Watt, 42, from Uppingham Road, Leicester, has attended a number of the bonfire events at Humberstone Park.
He said: "I'm upset it probably won't happen.
"We're told to attend an organised event but the organised event gets cancelled."
Sir Peter said: "Council funding for the Humberstone Park Bonfire is an accident of history. Other parts of the city, like Braunstone, have a bonfire without council money.
"We'll make sure people are helped to apply for funds."
Comments
by vanip
Monday, November 05 2012, 11:00PM
“Perhaps the ward councillor needs to think of ideas of generating revenue from the bonefire nite event because SPS wants the event to generate revenue like the comedy festival !!!!
Come on SPS these are community events and should not be commercicial consideretion.
The councillors perhaps wont say this to you because you now have the power to hire and fire without cheks or balances on you”
by DBLeicester
Monday, November 05 2012, 2:25PM
“£16,000 is such a small amount of money to spend on something the whole community in the area enjoys and benefits from. When millions of pounds are proposed to be spent on worthless, pie in the sky projects in the City Centre, it is a kick in the teeth to the Council Tax payers of the area. So much for community cohesion and 'One Leicester'. SPS, we understand cuts have to happen, so spend a little less 'tarting' up your 'favourite' areas and be fair.”