Extending the town’s Christmas lights to Victoria Street and providing more hanging baskets were among the ideas suggested for how Spalding Town Forum might spend money it has hung onto.
The board, which receives a portion of town residents’ council tax, is forecast to have a £33,000 underspend for this financial year.
It follows savings made over the upkeep of the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field.
Spalding Town Forum chair Coun Rob Gibson asked members what it might be spent on.
“Put it towards the costs of hanging baskets and making it a more floral place in the spring,” said Coun Mark Le Sage. “Though we did have some this year, it was sporadic.
“I know it’s been difficult for people financially this year but if we could support that and have as many hanging baskets as possible, that would make the town centre a worthwhile visit.
“People say the town centre looks a little bit glum, so if we could brighten it up with few flowers that would be a positive step forward.”
Coun James Le Sage called for lights to be provided for Victoria Street, and for that to be incorporated into the late night shopping event being proposed for The Crescent on Friday, December 6 this year.
“I have a salon down there and there’s some fantastic businesses,” said Coun Le Sage. “We feel like we get dropped off from the end of The Crescent.
“It’s a very nice road with some nice businesses in there. Perhaps we could look at the brackets for putting Christmas trees.”
Coun Rob Gibson responded: “Victoria Street is a fantastic little area.
“It’s where our unique little shops are.”
He continued that councillors had looked at including that part of the town into the December 6 event.
“We might look to Victoria Street and The Sessions House in the future.
“It’s something we do, but practicality wise there is a lot to go in to, which I hadn’t realised. That’s why we kept it a bit smaller this year.
“The new owners of The Sessions House are keen to do things in the community.”
Councillors agreed to carry out a clean up of The Crescent ahead of the December event.
Coun Gibson also agreed to continue the tradition of money allocated for the town forum chair to be spent on purchasing a Christmas tree for the town centre.
When asked by Coun Ingrid Sheard if one could be bought as good as Boston’s was last year, he responded that the company behind that tree ‘don’t deliver anymore but there’s a possibility we might still be able to achieve it.”
The district council’s £70,000 extra for lights was also welcomed.
