Havering’s Bah Humbug Christmas as all trees and light switch-ons cancelled by council due to insufficient funds.

Local democracy reporter Sebastian Mann today writes:

Christmas lights switch-ons in Havering have been cancelled by the council due to insufficient funds.

Havering Council has said it will also not be able to provide trees in Romford and Collier Row this year, due to financial constraints.

Romford Business Improvement District (BID) group, which works with business owners to enhance the neighbourhood, will be providing a tree for the town, the council says.

Other events have been planned in Upminster, Mardyke, Elm Park, Rainham and Harold Hill. Details are yet to be released.

A spokesperson for the Havering Residents’ Association (HRA), which controls the council, said: “Havering Council made it clear when setting the budget in February that funding for Christmas would have to stop due to the budget gap between income and the increase in demand for services.

“Since then community groups, local businesses and HRA Councillors and HRA team members have been organising Christmas events across the borough.”

They added that the lights are provided by contractors and the trees needed to be purchased.

The announcement upset residents on social media, with one writing on Facebook: “Absolute disgrace you cannot afford a Christmas tree. I hope people think twice come the next local elections and remember this.”

Andrew Rosindell, the Conservative MP for Romford, said he was “appalled” by the council’s decision.

In a statement, published in the Havering Daily, the long-time MP said: “The London Borough of Havering has cancelled Christmas, with the leader of Havering Council saying that ‘we have no choice’ but to do so. However, Havering Council does have a choice.”

He continued: “I stand with local people in calling on the council to urgently reverse this decision and arrange the usual Christmas celebrations to take place this year.

“No administration of any political colour has the right to abolish Christmas in Romford and Collier Row, denying residents of our town the ability to celebrate their religious traditions.”

Others were more sympathetic about the council’s position, which it has blamed on 14 years of “real-term cuts” to funding.

A fellow resident said: “I don’t think whichever party was in would make any difference. The current council has inherited a big deficit and so unnecessary spending needs to be capped. Such a shame but needs must.”

The cash-strapped council began the financial year with a £32.5million budget deficit and says it is making “tough” cuts across services.

It has explored the potential closure of four libraries in the borough, as well as proposals to build blocks of flats on car parks.

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