HARPENDEN TOWN COUNCIL
NON CONFIDENTIAL
COMMITTEE:
POLICY AND FINANCE
DATE:
9 SEPTEMBER 2015
REPORT BY:
TOWN CLERK
SUBJECT:
CHRISTMAS LIGHTING PROVISION
1.
Summary
1.1
The provision of the annual Christmas lights display is a very visual service which has
a direct impact on the Council, local businesses and the town’s reputation. This
provision was severely compromised in 2014 with issues relating to the display
product and the power infrastructure which was unreliable.
1.2
Having identified the problems the Council moved quickly to address them. Much
work has been done to ensure a reliable power supply and a display which the Council
and the people of Harpenden can be proud.
1.3
The Christmas Light display is an integral part of the Christmas Carnival event which
is attended by over 10,000 people and is one of the biggest events in Hertfordshire.
2.
Recommendation
2.1.
It is recommended that the expenditure of £13,043, met from earmarked reserves, is
approved to ensure the reliability of the power supply and the improved product
display.
3.
Background
3.1
During Christmas 2014 a range of issues relating to the reliable provision of a Town
Centre festive display were identified:
a)
b)
c)
3.2
There were new regulations introduced to ensure that Christmas Lighting
displays were installed to a correct standard which is an integral requirement
for the licence issued by Hertfordshire Highways.
The electrical infrastructure was found to be non-compliant with current
regulations and remedial works were not completed in time for adequate
testing to be undertaken before the light switch on.
Some items of old lighting displays were found to be sub-standard and did not
meet current health and safety requirements.
Urgent action was taken to address as many of the problems as soon as possible to
provide a festive display. However, a number of negative responses to the display
were received from across the community.
3.3
The Council has continued to effect repairs to ensure this situation is not repeated
this year. Upgrading work continues to be carried out on the electrical supplies which
in turn has identified additional issues relating to connectivity and product suitability.
3.4
Additional works are needed to the electrical supply and new product provided in
order to meet regulatory standards and required Health & Safety criteria. Part of this
work will ensure that the Council will have access to standalone electrical supplies
and in future not be reliant on using local businesses and residents’ power supplies
(for which they are reimbursed).
3.5
Some works have had to been undertaken to accommodate arboriculture work that
need to be carried out on trees where lights were hung.
3.6
The proposals contained below will continue to build on the existing product installed
around the town and improve the display in areas where it is appropriate to do so and
comply with regulatory requirements.
4.
Current Christmas Light Contract
4.1
The Christmas light contract covers the following display:















Eight feature trees within the town centre dressed in LED lights. The lights remain
in the trees all year round.
3 Christmas trees (town centre, Batford and Southdown)
5 cross street decorations (4m x 1m)
4 flood lights in trees on Leyton Green
Festoon around Pizza Express area
Festoon around Church Green
10 mistletoe stars in Station Road
DMX in Leyton Road
Festoon around Park Hall
Festoon in Thompsons Close
Connect installed lighting strings in Southdown
Connect 4 lamp columns in Batford
Connect willow tree in Batford
Connect 3 trees opposite Co-Op in Batford
Electrical testing of all displays with relevant certificates, pull testing of anchor
points, setting of timers, testing of catenary wires and call out for failed displays.
4.2
In 2014 the cross street festoon was not installed in Thompsons Close because, due
to access issues, the anchor points were not able to be tested.
4.3
The lights in the trees at Sun Lane and outside Pizza Express did not work due to
poor product previously installed.
5.
Proposed Works
5.1
The majority of the proposed works will reinstate the display to previous high
standards and establish a solid platform taking the display forward.
a)
New lights for Town Centre
Installation of lights in Lloyds tree including power (replacement)
£1,875
Install display in Thompsons Close including power
£1,649
12 column displays in Leyton Rd including power (replacing cross street) £5,591
Install larger cross street decorations (5)
£6,563
Install lights in 3 Silver Birch Trees around Church Green including power £3,380
Install lights in 2 trees in Sensory Garden including power
£2,160
Install lights in Sensory Garden Feature Tree (to replace broken lights)
£1,695
Christmas tree lights for Town Centre tree (to replace old ‘domestic’ lights) £751
Electrical Installation Works in town centre
£2,580
Sub Total
£26,244
b)
Batford
Replace lights and power in 3 trees opposite Co-Op
£2,193
Southdown
Remove lights in Jewson tree for arbicultural works
Install lights in Jewson tree
Power supply compliance work
Total
£408
£1,402
£610
£30,857
c)
5.2
In the budget 2015/16 a growth item of £9,130 was agreed to cover display upgrades
and works to Batford and Southdown for the electrical infrastructure.
Budget (A)
Christmas Budget Cost Centre
Growth item
Grant Cllr Williams
Grant Cllr Heritage
Total A
£25,000
£9,130
£1,500
£1,500
£37,130
Expenditure (B)
Main scheme
Purchase of Christmas Trees x 3
Proposed works as listed para 5.1 a, b and c
Total B
£18,498
£818
£30,857
£50,173
Shortfall (B-A)
£13,043
6.
Financial Implications
6.1
Much of the cost of implementing essential improvements has been anticipated and
included in the existing 2015/16 budget. However additional funding of £13,043 is
required to meet regulatory and new product costs that now need to be
commissioned. This can be met from earmarked reserves.
6.2
Funding from County Cllr Williams for improvements to the lights in Batford and
County Cllr Heritage for new light display in the Jewson’s tree in Southdown will be
met from their respective Locality budgets.