A COUNCILLOR has launched a scathing attack on his own authority’s decision to “squander” up to £25,000 on new Christmas lights.

Peter Webb, of Upton Town Council, said the decision to commit the funds from reserves was “reprehensible” and accused those responsible of spending public money “without due care and diligence”.

The council’s hall and finance committee agreed to commit £25,000 for the new state-of-the-art lights and a huge Christmas tree on the riverside, but will be receiving donations – potentially up to £6,000 – from Upton Tourism and Trade Association , which initiated the scheme, to offset some of the cost.

But Coun Webb said the decision was rushed through without proper checks, reporting requirements or any agreements to repay money to reserves.

He said he was staggered by the decision to shell out the money “at one stroke” when so many other areas of the town were in need.

“The open spaces committee have been asking for funds to refurbish the children’s playground, the town band, mainly young people, are in dire financial straits, Upton in Bloom struggles to find funds to enhance the town and encourage visitors, the library is at risk and the tourist information centre has lost its prime position in the town,” he said. “This is public money being spent in an improvident manner without due care and diligence and which is even more reprehensible during these times of constraint and budgetary control.”

Speaking at a full council meeting, he said the decision should be revoked unless the council wished to be “indicted by parishioners with their total lack of respect for their money and for the hard-working people whose money they are squandering”.

Coun Webb was told as his comments were listed as a “personal statement”

on the agenda, there would be no further discussion.

He has since submitted a list of questions on how the decision was taken and the specifics of the scheme, to the hall and finance committee.

Upton mayor Andrea Morgan said she was sorry to hear of Coun Webb’s disappointment but said: “The decision to purchase the Christmas lights was taken legally and democratically.”