IntroductionIntroduction
BackgroundBackground Christmas lights previously have benefitted from grant funding- no longer availableChristmas lights previously have benefitted from grant funding- no longer available Budget must therefore include rolling capital refreshBudget must therefore include rolling capital refresh Previous budget £9,000. £15,000 required to cover current schemePrevious budget £9,000. £15,000 required to cover current scheme Council’s decision (4Council’s decision (4thth Feb) was to increase budget to £11,000 Feb) was to increase budget to £11,000 Current scheme can not be maintained on this budgetCurrent scheme can not be maintained on this budget
20 companies were approached and 9 quoted on a variety of schemes20 companies were approached and 9 quoted on a variety of schemes Assessed by officersAssessed by officers Confirms initial estimate of £15,000 to retain current schemeConfirms initial estimate of £15,000 to retain current scheme
Three schemes proposed which are sustainable at the current budgetThree schemes proposed which are sustainable at the current budget Sustainable means that for the current budget we can fund both the capital refresh and the Sustainable means that for the current budget we can fund both the capital refresh and the
annual costs on an ongoing basisannual costs on an ongoing basis Transition costs/planTransition costs/plan
One scheme can be transitioned within budget through a 3 year phasing plan (without commitment)One scheme can be transitioned within budget through a 3 year phasing plan (without commitment) One scheme can be transitioned immediately within budgetOne scheme can be transitioned immediately within budget One scheme will require approximately £3000 additional funding in year 1 but is thereafter sustainable @£11,000 per yearOne scheme will require approximately £3000 additional funding in year 1 but is thereafter sustainable @£11,000 per year
The choice of scheme will impact location/Christmas event optionsThe choice of scheme will impact location/Christmas event options Unframed canopy features (like the one near Greggs) are recommended over framed cross Unframed canopy features (like the one near Greggs) are recommended over framed cross
streets, due to visual appearance and continuity of design through progressive refresh cyclesstreets, due to visual appearance and continuity of design through progressive refresh cycles All schemes feature reduced total lightingAll schemes feature reduced total lighting
© Bishop’s Stortford Town © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Council
Christmas Street Lighting 2013Christmas Street Lighting 2013
Scheme A Predominately, overhead features.10 items
B Predominately tree based scheme18 items
C – Mixed scheme14 itemsTransition not manageable within budget in Yr 1
Current Scheme (does not fit budget)
Overhead Overhead LightingLighting
8 x Canopy8 x Canopy 2 x Canopy2 x Canopy 6 x Canopy6 x Canopy 9 x X Streets1 x Canopy
General TreesGeneral Trees None 1212 66 12
Christmas treeChristmas tree 11 2 (extra one in North 2 (extra one in North Street)Street)
11 11
OtherOther 1 x Hart 1 x Hart 1 x Hart1 x Hart1 x Balcony Lights at 15 1 x Balcony Lights at 15 Market Sq.Market Sq.
1 x Hart 1 x Hart 1 x Hart 1 x Hart
Transition planTransition plan 2013: North Street-> 2 x Canopy + Hart.5 X-streets & 1 canopy retained in South/Potter StTree lights removed.
2014 2 X-streets -> 2 Canopy in Potter St
2015 x 3 X-streets in -> 3 Canopy in South St.
One-step transition in 2013
All framed X-streets removed
Canopy retained near Greggs
Additional Canopy at junction of Market Sq/High Street
2013: North Street -> 2 Canopy plus Hart5 X-streets & 1 canopy retained in South/Potter St6 x Tree Lights South Street/Market Square
2014 2 X-street -> 1 Canopy in Potter Street
2015 3 X-streets replaced by 2 x Canopy in South Street
ActionAction
Council requested to choose between the sustainable schemesCouncil requested to choose between the sustainable schemes Note that (apart from one scheme) transition will need to be phased over three years Note that (apart from one scheme) transition will need to be phased over three years
and equipment retired, as replaced within that individual years budget.and equipment retired, as replaced within that individual years budget.
Council to consider impact on Christmas switch on eventCouncil to consider impact on Christmas switch on event Dependent on choice of scheme, CEO will advise at the meetingDependent on choice of scheme, CEO will advise at the meeting
Council to consider donations/sponsorship policyCouncil to consider donations/sponsorship policy We may (rarely) be offered donationsWe may (rarely) be offered donations Need to protect against recurring costsNeed to protect against recurring costs Recommended policy: sponsor to pay for the full costs for the lifespan of a product (3-5 Recommended policy: sponsor to pay for the full costs for the lifespan of a product (3-5
years dependent on product), total to be paid upfront prior to purchase in year oneyears dependent on product), total to be paid upfront prior to purchase in year one Residual risk (disappointment/negative publicity due to of withdrawal at end of lifespan) Residual risk (disappointment/negative publicity due to of withdrawal at end of lifespan)
may be considered tolerable compared to benefitmay be considered tolerable compared to benefit
FeaturesFeatures
© Bishop’s Stortford Town © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Council
Canopy Framed Cross-street
Hart Wrapped Balcony