A controversial decision to change the Christmas lights display in Shifnal, which has drawn widespread criticism, was not down to the town council, its members said today.

A public meeting is to be held on Tuesday at Shifnal Village Hall to discuss the lights after residents complained about the loss of the old festoon displays. They claim the new lights are nowhere near as good.

It is also claimed that the old display used to attract people from all over to the town.

Councillors are upset people are blaming them for the decision to abandon the old lights due to health and safety regulations.

They plan to issue a public statement before the meeting which they say will make clear it was not down to them.

Councillor Jane Blackstock told a town council meeting last night: “The people of Shifnal are being misinformed that it was Shifnal Town Council that put a stop to the old lights being used.

“It was not Shifnal Town Council, it was the unitary authority and that is why we are so keen that the people of Shifnal know the truth.”

Members of the council heard the volunteers who used to be responsible for installing the lights no longer wanted to be involved with the council.

Mayor Councillor Eileen Briscoe said: “The volunteers do not want to work with us, now the responsibility rests with us.”

The council has already posted the Shropshire Council guidance notes for Christmas decorations and the code of practice for seasonal decorations on its website for public information.

Now councillors have decided to circulate a community statement listing all the decisions and actions leading up to the old lights not being used, starting in October 2010.

The document will be distributed around the town, including at the Co-operative store, at the town library and at the card shop, Katrina’s.

Councillor Alison Jackson said: “This document will put into context where we are coming from.”

Councillors were told that it was costing £90 a week to store the old lights but they agreed to defer a decision on the future of the former display until after Tuesday’s public talks.

Councillor Gordon Tonkinson told the meeting that the lights had cost £30,000 to buy.

See also:

• Bright spark Harry’s Shifnal festive lights protest