Councillor Bids To Axe Leisure Events
Wednesday, 22nd October 2003.
Proposals have been made to cut spending on leisure activities in the town, by Haverhill Representative Alliance (HRA) town councillor, Mabon Dane.
Councillor Dane suggested the East Town Park Halloween Trail, the late night Christmas shopping fireworks display, and the Haverhill Directory should be cut in order to save money.
But his views, raised at a recent meeting of the town council's leisure and arts committee, were not shared by other town councillors.
Speaking at the meeting Councillor Dane said leisure activities' were not the highest priority for members of the public concerned about council tax.
Councillor Dane said he had concerns about the safety of holding the Halloween trail in East Town Park but he was told the council was fully insured for all its events and that children were accompanied by an adult to the event, which is licensed by St Edmundsbury Borough Council.
Speaking about the fireworks display, put on as part of the town council's late night Christmas shopping event, Councillor Dane said, "There is a growing public perception that the town council is burning money with the fireworks display. We are providing free entertainment at the tax payers' expense."
He was also keen to introduce advertising into the Haverhill Directory to reduce costs, but was advised by Labour councillor Maggie Lee that this bad attracted too many businesses from out of town in the past.
Town Mayor, Councillor Jackie Rudd said the directory had been a great help to her when she first moved to the town.
Haverhill Independent Party councillor Nick Whelan said, "speaking as a parent and family man I would not like to see any cuts and I am sure the population of Haverhill would feel the same way."
The town council's proposed leisure budget for 2004/5 is £81,100.
Councillor Dane suggested the East Town Park Halloween Trail, the late night Christmas shopping fireworks display, and the Haverhill Directory should be cut in order to save money.
But his views, raised at a recent meeting of the town council's leisure and arts committee, were not shared by other town councillors.
Speaking at the meeting Councillor Dane said leisure activities' were not the highest priority for members of the public concerned about council tax.
Councillor Dane said he had concerns about the safety of holding the Halloween trail in East Town Park but he was told the council was fully insured for all its events and that children were accompanied by an adult to the event, which is licensed by St Edmundsbury Borough Council.
Speaking about the fireworks display, put on as part of the town council's late night Christmas shopping event, Councillor Dane said, "There is a growing public perception that the town council is burning money with the fireworks display. We are providing free entertainment at the tax payers' expense."
He was also keen to introduce advertising into the Haverhill Directory to reduce costs, but was advised by Labour councillor Maggie Lee that this bad attracted too many businesses from out of town in the past.
Town Mayor, Councillor Jackie Rudd said the directory had been a great help to her when she first moved to the town.
Haverhill Independent Party councillor Nick Whelan said, "speaking as a parent and family man I would not like to see any cuts and I am sure the population of Haverhill would feel the same way."
The town council's proposed leisure budget for 2004/5 is £81,100.
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