Council to discuss partnering up over Christmas event delivery

Town councillors will tonight discuss plans to seek a 'partner' who can help deliver the Kicking off Christmas event in Newtown due to staff shortages.

Members of the Economy & Environment Committee will tonight discuss plans to seek a delivery partner to help the town council pull off the annual Kicking off Christmas event.

The staff resource shortage is expected to last until October according to a report from the Development Manager. This is due to existing staff moving onto new roles.

The report indicates that whilst most of the event planning has been undertaken, including plans for closure of High Street and fairground rides and activities for children in the Town Hall Grounds.

However, the Council, if approved, would seek an organisation/business to offer a proposal to "collaborate for this event... within the given budget".

The report also states that discussions have already taken place with the Cllr Richard Edwards, Cllr Margaret Lewington and Cllr Lee Menzel, who are the lead councillors for the event.

The annual Kicking off Christmas event came under fire last year from residents on social media demanding the return of the event to the High Street, as it shifted away to the Town Hall Grounds during Covid. The total budget for the event is £10,000.

If approved by town councillors then advertisments will be made on social media and the Town Council website.