Stone Town Council’s royal wedding street party will be scaled back after a proposal to cut the budget from £7,500 to £3,500 was approved by 10 votes to 6.
The decision was made at a meeting of the town council on Tuesday 1st March.
A town council group has been planning the party to celebrate the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on 29th April for a couple of months. Their plans – including £1,500 on fireworks, street theatre, funfair rides and donkeys – cost around £7,500. Certain elements will now have to come out.
The proposal by Cllr Philip Jones to cut the budget was backed by 10 votes to six. Cllr Jones said: “We should be setting an example in doing this event at a cost which is consistent with the difficulties and hardships citizens are having o experience at the moment.”
What do you think?
Is it right to spend as little as possible on this event in a time of austerity?
2 comments
Carole
Royal Weddings of this magnitude don’t come round very often and I feel it is a great shame that the Stone Council has made the decision to cut the budget on an event which would bring the townfolk together to celebrate the marriage of a future King. Unfortunately we are in a bad place where libraries and police stations are being closed but is a one off £4000 (the cut back amount) going to help any of these… I dont think so.
Jamie Summerfield
Hi Carole. It’s a real shame, I agree, that the town council voted to reduce the budget. It was a close vote (10-6) but I do understand the fears of those councillors who voted to reduce. In a time of austerity and cuts, any expenditure from a public body is coming in for real and intense scrutiny. But, as I say, it’s a shame. Hopefully, the event can still be a huge success. Hopefully, the town council can get as many people in the town as involved as possible in making the party go with a bang. There are so many people here with so much community spirit and so many talents and skills – engage with them now, town council!!!