SHOULD BRIGG LIGHTS STAY ON INTO FEBRUARY?

Brigg Town Council has debated whether some of the lights that go up for the Christmas period should stay illuminated throughout January and February.
These would be  lights adorning certain trees,  not the extensive array of town centre Christmas illuminations.
Brigg Town Council, which pays for the Christmas lights, is now looking to share the cost of the extra weeks' lights with Brigg Town Business Partnership, representing traders.
The estimated overall cost is £340. This is considerably lower than it would have been before replacement LED lights were installed. They consume much less "juice" than conventional bulbs.
Deputy Town Mayor Coun Ann Eardley said visitors to Brigg liked to see lights in the trees last year. They made the town "continental like." 
Coun Mike Storey thought the suggested cost "excessive" but agreed LED was much cheaper. He felt having the lights on could help businesses at a quiet time of the year.
Town Mayor Coun James Truepenny said having areas lit in this way would help safety on the streets.
Coun Mike Campion said the public seemed divided last year. Some people felt the lights in the trees looked nice, but other council tax payers asked why the lights were still on and how much it was costing them.
Coun Carl Sherwood said he had to be Scrooge, believing Christmas lights to be for Christmas alone. They might look lovely, but if the Business Partnership wanted the lights on, they should pay.
Coun Rob Waltham took a similar view but said he was not going to be "as big a Christmas Humbug" as his colleague. "I believe Brigg Town Business Partnership should contribute," he said. 
Coun Waltham suggested the Town Council should pay £200 with the remainder to come from the Partnership. He felt thist to be a healthy compromise, and that's what the council agreed to do.
A member of the public, Jenny Bell, of St James' Road, attended the Town Council meeting and raised the issue of illuminations during Public Question Time. She was against lights be left up through February because of the cost.